Larfarge Africa Plc, a leading building solution provider company, has relocated two of its host communities to a new site of 21 housing unit, worth #750 million, as part of measures to improve the living and health condition of the members of the communities.
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Michel Puchercos said that the factory’s authority came to the decision to relocate the residents of the two communities – Oko- Oke Sekoni and Egbado, in order to ensure their health safety in the cause of doing business in Ewekoro Local government Area of Ogunstate.
Addressing newsmen at the commissioning of the housing units, at the weekend, Puchercos, who was represented by The Managing Director of Lafarge Africa Plc, Adepeju Adebajo , opined that the company provided 21 units of 8-room bungalows equipped with basic social amenities for two the host communities, on the border of its Ewekoro Cement Plants.
He said, “There was a very strong need for these two communities to be relocated and in 2013 we signed an MoU, saying that we will relocate the two communities and you can see that have now been fulfilled today. Altogether, we are commissioning 21 units of bundagalows in Oke-Oko Sekoni and Oke-Oko Egbado and you can see ontop of the bungalows we have provided Boreholes and electrification.”
The CEO also promised the two communities that the company would provide schools, hospitals as well as maternity units in their abodes , which he said would attract more people to their locations.
According to him,” It is our adherent believe and desire that, this is just a seed that in these two locations will be developed. Schools will come, hospitals will come, Maternity units will come and and more indigenes from Ogun State will come home and live here so we are very proud of what has been done today.
“We are working inconjuction with all the communities in Ewekoro Local Government and indeed every community in every place where our plants are sited around the country. With all the communities, we access their needs, we discuss with the communities leaders” he added.
He expressed further that, “In fact, we priortise what their needs are, based on their own prioritisation, we then come up with an annual plan and that is what we implement every year. The needs vary from one community to the other and I am happy to say that Ewekoro and Lafarge have a very long time standing relationship for over 50 years.”
The State Commissioner for Cooperatives and Community Development, Gbenga Ademosun, praised the company for relocating the dwellers of the two communities to a safe place.
Ademosun, who was in company of Ewekoro Representative in the State House of Assembly, Isreal Jolaoso and the Ewekoro Local Government Chairman, Sabitu Olumide stated, “We thank Lafarge for this, I pray that the partnership between Ogun government and will not be damaged.
“Lafarge is one of the big companies that is doing what government wants them to do, by paying their taxes regularly and also putting the safety of the people into consideration. Please don’t stop here alone, we want you to build secondary school too and also leave space for hospital. It is the beginning new things in these communities”, he added.
