By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
The Deputy governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, has commended Lafarge on its Corporate Social Responsibility and people-oriented policies across communities in its operational site in Akpabuyo local government area and other host communities.
The commendation was made during the 2023 Lafarge Community Day which doubled as the formal commissioning of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions to the people of Mfamosing in Akpabuyo and other host communities.
This year, the projects included, Training and empowerment of 30 beneficiaries of the host communities with skills and equipment to start their businesses.
Also, under Education the company is supporting 100 Secondary school beneficiaries and 40 Tertiary students and NYSC support to their host communities.
It also made a donation of food items and business equipment to 150 elders across the host communities, providing health centres with equipment and medication in Abiati, Essien Town, and Akansoko communities.
Also, it has sited primary school projects across all the host community to ensure that every child has access to education.
Speaking during the occasion, Rt. Hon. Odey who was represented by Dr. Chris Ojikpong, Head of Personnel Staff to the Deputy governor, said over the years, Lafarge has been an outstanding beacon of commitment to community development and has consistently demonstrated its dedication to making a positive impact beyond the realms of business and profit making.
Odey added that the government of Cross River State has been witness to Lafarge’s numerous health outreaches, construction and furnishing of health centres and schools, essay and quiz competitions geared towards encouraging interest in education, amongst others.
“As we bask in the success of past endeavours, I encourage Lafarge to continue on this path of deliberate excellence. Our doors are open to discuss ways that we could support Lafarge’s continued growth in her operation as the success of the company is intertwined with the prosperity of our communities.
“On behalf of the government of Cross River State, I want to reiterate our determination to provide an enabling environment for success of businesses like yours. To the host communities, thank you for your partnership and support that has ensured peaceful co-existence”.
Earlier, the plant manager of Lafarge, Sotirios Valsamakis, said it gave him great pleasure to welcome government representatives, traditional rulers, Chiefs of host communities, management and staff of Lafarge Africa in this year’s Community Day.
“As an organization, we recognize our host communities as our parents, building progressively together for the future, while ensuring that we leave positive footprints that will impact the society”
Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the government of Cross River State as well as traditional rulers and host communities. Lafarge Africa’s commitment to the development of our local communities is unwavering.”
We therefore ask for continued support from all our stakeholders to enable us achieve set goals”.
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The Corporate Responsibility Committee representative for Mbobui Community in Akamkpa Local Government Area and Chairman, Mfamosing Community Relations, Ntufam Alphonsus Bassey,said Lafarge was a blessing and a gift from God to them as a community.
He assured the company of their unalloyed support, while looking forward to better days ahead, as he believed that Lafarge was committed to do more for the people.
Also present at the event were the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mike Odere, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Mrs. Helen Egodo, Chairman of Cross River Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Godwin Okon and other stakeholders.
Highpoints of the event were the symbolic commissioning of projects across the communities, presentation of dummy cheques to beneficiaries of vocational skills as well as tertiary and secondary school bursary awards.
