The government of Cross River state, as well as 10 communities hosting Lafarge Cement Company in the state, has lauded the company for living up to expectation in respect of its corporate social responsibility efforts and supporting socio economic development of Cross River people.
Speaking during the Lafarge Africa Plc Mfamosing Plant Hosting Communities 2019 Day, Governor Ben Ayade’s wife, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, said Lafarge had touched lives of the people for six years running and that such positive impacts had helped in reducing youth restiveness.
The village head of Diamond Hill community, Rev. Etim Caiafas, who spoke on behalf of the host communities which include Mfamosing, Ekong Anaku, Mbobui, Akansoko, Akwa Ikot Effanga community, Diamond community, Kasuk, Camp II amongst other, said the people were happy to have the company in their midst.
“Lafarge has not only employed our indigenes, it has given scholarships and embarked on youth empowerment programmes. It has assisted in building/furnishing town halls, sinking boreholes, provided electricity transformers amongst other interventions. This has greatly impacted on the lives of its host communities and Cross River state. We want to say a bid thank you to Lafarge Africa Plc,” Rev Caiafas submitted.
Earlier, the Country CCEO of the company, Mr Michael Puchercos, who was represented by the acting plant manager, Engr Adamu Maaji, said the company’s community social responsibilities were focused on areas of education, youth empowerment, infrastructure and health/safety.
He disclosed that on education, the company had, in 2019, given bursary award of N100,000 each to 30 indigent students in the public tertiary institutions; N25,000 each to 100 students in public secondary schools and that apart from providing schools desk and sandals to students, it was renovating schools across the ten communities.
“In addition to our health and safety commitment to the people, we carried out a two-day health outreach for members of communities, and distribution of drugs to community members. Over 100 youths have also benefitted from our skills acquisition capacity enhancement and business development programme. Beneficiaries will today receive starter packs to enable them set up and run successful businesses of their own.
“This year, we began our block moulding and interlocking academy which is set to develop technical skills of youths in host communities and set up community-owned block moulding factories in three locations.
“Lafarge Africa PLC would like to use this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to its host communities. Our investment in CSR will continue to meet the needs of the people and simulate sustainable development in our various communities.”
