Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called for the support of Lafarge and other multinational companies operating along the Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Expressway as his administration continues to make efforts to reconstruct the highway.
The governor said that reconstructing the road would have multiplier effects on the socio-economic development of the state, while companies who have their base of operations along the route stand to benefit more.
Abiodun, who made the appeal when the management team of Lafarge Africa Plc paid a courtesy visit to his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, lamented the deplorable state of the road, despite past palliative interventions by the Ogun State Government to lessen the pains of motorists.
The governor said that although Ogun State had secured the approval of the Federal Government to reconstruct the road but projected that the cost, which was initially estimated at about N70 billion, would be about N150 billion or more due to high cost of asphalt, diesel and cement as a result of inflation.
He explained: “It is important we sit down and identity what portion of the expanse of that road Larfarge and the likes are going to contribute because the truth is that you are one of the biggest contributors to the condition of that road.
“Your trucks are causing damages to the road. They are carrying cement and raw materials, and most of those trucks are even over-capacitating the design of the road”, Abiodun added.
The governor urged the company to use global best practices in disposing industrial waste in their areas of operation.
Acknowledging the company’s longstanding commitment to the local economy, he emphasized the crucial role of collaboration with the private sector in addressing the challenges of sustainable economic growth and job creation in the state.
He also commended Lafarge’s management for the company’s impact on industrial activities, providing valuable employment opportunities for residents and fostering skills development.
According to him, the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including investments in education, healthcare, and community infrastructure, underscore its dedication to enhancing the quality of life for Ogun State residents.
He recalled that the collaboration between Lafarge and the Ogun State Government enhanced the resilience of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lafarge, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, highlighted the company’s 64-year history of contributing to the economic growth of the Ewekoro axis.
The Lafarge CEO said: “Lafarge is part of the Holcim Group, one of the world’s leading building materials giants. A commitment to the sustainable development of every community and every country in which we operate is fundamental, non-negotiable principle in our business.”
According to him, the company’s commitment to sustainable development is nested in four pillars- circular economy, climate, energy, and people.
While stressing that Lafarge Africa Plc has played a pivotal role in the state’s economic development, exemplifying a commitment to sustainable growth and community empowerment, Alade-Akinyemi added that the company’s extensive operations and investments had contributed to job creation and overall economic prosperity in the state
