Adepeju Adebajo, managing director/chief executive officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, a member of LafargeHolcim, has disclosed that the giant cement company expended over N100 million on various developmental projects in 2015, covering education, infrastructure, empowerment, health among others in 12 communities in Ewekoro local government area of Ogun state.
She said that Lafarge Africa spent such a huge amount on the provision of bursary awards to 168 indigent students drawn from 12 communities in Ewekoro where Lafarge Africa has its largest plants in Nigeria; rehabilitation of rural roads; provision of medical equipment and renovation of health centres; as well as empowerment of farmers with farm tools.
Adebajo, who was represented by Micheal Awanayah at 2015 Lafarge Africa CSR Day held at its Ewekoro plant, over the weekend, noted that Lafarge Africa commenced CSR Day for both the people of Ewekoro and Sagamu local government areas of Ogun in 2008 as part of firm’s commitment to improving lives and safety in the communities where it operates.
She said, “Lafarge Africa has spent over N100 million in 2015 on various developmental projects across Ewekoro local government area. Today, we are distributing N100, 000 cheques as scholarship and bursary awards to 168 indigent students from various instititutions of higher learning, who are residents of 12 communities in Ewekoro here.
“For us in Lafarge Africa Plc, Corporate Social Investment is a vital part of our sustainability drive to create positive impact in our host communities. This focuses on three cardinal areas of environment, social and economic responsibility.
“Lafarge will continue to live to its billing as a socially responsible and community focused organisation,” adding “We require the continued cooperation from all stakeholders, particularly our neighbouring communities to remain afloat and be able to deliver on our promises”.
Responding, Jide Ojuko, Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs lauded Lafarge Africa for annual Corporate Social Responsibility Day, but appealed to the 12 communities hosting Lafarge cement plants in Ewekoro local government area, to co-operate with the management in order to enjoy more benefits from Lafarge Africa Plc.
The Commissioner, who was represented by Dayo Somoye, director of Local Government in the Ministry, however, enjoined the communities to always create a good environment for the company to thrive, adding that the communities and the State in particular can only benefit more from Lafarge’s CSR and other obligations if the communities created conducive atmosphere.
RAZAQ AYINLA
