Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of Lafarge Africa Plc and others to the deplorable state of the Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos expressway.
Governor Abiodun, while receiving its management team, which paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on Wednesday, regretted that a world class company like Lafarge Africa Plc was unmindful of the deplorable state of the Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos road which serves it in many ways.
The governor said that although, Ogun State has secured the permission of the Federal Government to reconstruct the road, the cost, which was initially at about N70 billion, would be in the region of N150 billion or more due to high cost of Asphalt, diesel and cement as a result of inflation.
“I must say that I am not impressed with the attitude Larfarge has shown to the state of the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road and this road serves you and other industries around that axis.
“Infact, the worst section of that road is right in front of your factory and I wonder how a world class company is so unmindful about the state of the road particularly when your trucks are part of those that contributed to the level of depreciation of that road.
“It is important we sit down and identify 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 overcapacitating the design of the road,” the governor said.
Governor Abiodun called on the management of Larfarge to use global best practices in disposing industrial wastes in their areas of operation.
He noted that it was imperative for multinationals to safeguard the lives of the people while operating in their localities.
The governor who frowned at the non compliance with laid down rules on waste disposal by the company at its Ewekoro plant, said their activities have negatively impacted on the lives and livelihoods of the people of the area.
He said, “In the area of environmental impact, I recall that at some point in time, my Ministry of Environment has come to discuss with you because I was disturbed by some of the reports I was getting.
“When I listened to some of your laudable initiatives and compare them to the reports I got, particularly the report that talked about non proper regeneration of some land that have been mined, and yet you said you have regenerated them and planted trees, we are very concerned particularly with what happened in Ibadan.
“The impact of your activities goes beyond just mining. The blasting and mining affects several kilometers of household beyond the immediate miles and I am not sure how much households are affected, what structural damages has occurred in some of these buildings.”
The governor, who cited many complaints lodged at his office by residents of Ewekoro and its environs, added, “There was a case where excessive water used in extracting limestone was released and it continued to flood people’s farmlands and the farmers have come to the Ministry of Agriculture to complain that the excessive water was destroying their means of livelihood.
“I like to also bring to your attention the issue of air pollution and I want you to work closely with Ogun State Waste Waste Management Agency (OGWAMA) and the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), to resolve the issues.
“It is important we work together and ensure that we are not doing business and making money while the people are suffering.”
He thanked the company for its efforts at improving the socio-economic development of the area through its Corporate Social Responsibilities, assuring that his administration would collaborate and strengthen the relationship for the benefit of all.
Speaking earlier, the Group Managing Director of Larfarge, Lolu Alade Akinyemi, said the company in its 64 years of operation in the Ewekoro axis of the state, has helped in boosting the economy of the area and contributed significantly to the economic growth of the state.
The company, according to Akinyemi, has through its Corporate Social Responsibilities supported education, infrastructure, health and improved the overall wellbeing of the communities where they operate.
He called for a harmonious relationship between the company and the host communities.
