The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, has commended Lafarge Cement Company for supporting Secondary school and Tertiary students in the state.
He made commendation during the 2023 Lafarge Community Day where he said that over the years, Lafarge has been an outstanding beacon of commitment to community development.
Hon Odey who presented a dummy cheques to beneficiaries of vocational skills as well as tertiary and secondary school bursary awards added that State has been witness to Lafarge’s numerous health outreaches, construction and furnishing of health centres and schools, essay and quiz competitions.
“It has consistently demonstrated its dedication to making a positive impact beyond the realms of business and profit making geared towards encouraging interest in education, amongst others,” he said.
Represented by Dr. Chris Ojikpong, Head of Personnel Staff to the Deputy Governor office, Odey said: “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,” he stated.
While On behalf of the State Governmment reiterated their determination to provide an enabling environment for success of businesses, Hon Odey thanked the host communities, thank for their partnership and support that has ensured peaceful co-existence.
“As an organization, we recognize our host communities as our parents, building progressively together for the future,” the plant manager of Lafarge, Sotirios Valsamakis, stated saying “we are ensuring that we leave positive footprints that will impact the society.”
He 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.
“Lafarge Africa’s commitment to the development of our local communities is unwavering,” he continued. “We therefore ask for continued support from all our stakeholders to enable us achieve set goals.”
The Corporate Responsibility Committee representative for Mbobui Community in Akamkpa LGA Ntufam Alphonsus Bassey, said Lafarge is a blessing and a gift from God to them as a community.
Ntufam Bassey who is the Chairman, Mfamosing Community Relations, assured the company of their unalloyed support saying they are looking forward to better days ahead.
This year’s projects were Training and empowerment of 30 beneficiaries of the host communities with skills and equipment to start their businesses.
Education support to 100 Secondary school beneficiaries and 40 Tertiary students as well as NYSC support to their host communities.
Donation of food items and business equipment to 150 elders across their host communities.
Provision of health centres with equipment and medication in Abiati, Essien Town, and Akansoko communities.
Adopt-a-school projects across all their host community primary schools to ensure that every child has access to education.
Dignitaries 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 commissioning of projects across the communities, and the formal commissioning of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions to the people of Mfamosing in Akpabuyo and other host communities.