As Ogun State celebrates its 40th anniversary, Kunle Aderinokun observes that the story of the state in the last four decades would not be complete without considering Lafarge’s role in its socio-economic development.
Of the myriad developmental challenges that emerging economies contend with in the quest to become developed economies, infrastructure deficit and inadequate skilled population rank high. This is due largely to the multiplier effects that the two factors could have on any economy.
The need to bridge the infrastructure gap has foisted pressure on both government and private companies with the latter expected to display some level of corporate responsibility. When both fulfill their obligations the result is always a quantum leap in human and capital development.
The cooperation between Ogun State government and Lafarge provides an example of voluntary cooperation that is achieving this. Lafarge has complemented the provision of an enabling environment for business by the state government with a huge investment in infrastructure and intervention initiatives across multiple sectors including education, skill acquisition and empowerment, healthcare and provision of affordable housing among others.
Today, Lafarge has over 3,000 direct employees in Nigeria. 95% of whom are Nigerians – trained and developed as experts.
Another 12,000 Nigerians are indirectly employed through secondary activities including sales outlets, logistics operations, outsourcing activities and sundry suppliers.
Lafarge Africa has also signed an MOU with the Ogun State Government on the collection and usage of waste, including agro-waste for the waste-to-energy independent power project to generate electricity for its WAPCO operation plants and transferring the excess to the national grid.
