Daud Olatunji
In a scathing rebuke, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, squarely laid blame on Lafarge Africa Plc and others for the deplorable state of the Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Expressway, revealing that a staggering N150 billion is now required for its reconstruction.
Governor Abiodun expressed his discontent during a courtesy visit by Lafarge Africa Plc’s management team to his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, emphasizing the company’s apparent negligence towards a road that serves it in multiple ways.
Despite securing Federal Government permission to undertake the road’s reconstruction initially estimated at N70 billion, Governor Abiodun disclosed that inflation has driven the cost to exceed N150 billion.
He criticized Lafarge’s attitude, stating, “I am not impressed with the attitude Lafarge has shown to the state of the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road, especially when your trucks are among those that contributed to its deterioration.”
The governor urged Lafarge and similar entities to contribute financially to the road’s reconstruction, stressing their significant role in causing damage.
He called for a collaborative effort to identify the portions of the road for which these companies should take responsibility.
Governor Abiodun also addressed environmental concerns, urging Lafarge to adhere to global best practices in industrial waste disposal.
He emphasized the imperative for multinational corporations to prioritize the well-being of local communities while operating in their respective areas.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with Lafarge’s non-compliance with waste disposal rules at its Ewekoro plant, Governor Abiodun highlighted the negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people in the area.
He called for concerted efforts to address environmental issues, particularly related to excessive water released during limestone extraction, which has damaged farmlands and impacted farmers’ livelihoods.
The governor urged Lafarge to work closely with Ogun State Waste Management Agency (OGWAMA) and the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) to resolve issues related to air pollution and environmental degradation.
Despite the criticism, Governor Abiodun acknowledged Lafarge’s efforts at improving the socio-economic development of the area through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
He expressed gratitude for the company’s contributions while assuring that his administration would collaborate to strengthen the relationship for the benefit of all.
In response, the Group Managing Director of Lafarge, Mr. Lolu Alade Akinyemi, highlighted the company’s 64 years of operation in the Ewekoro axis, emphasizing its positive contributions to the local economy through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
He called for a harmonious relationship between the company and host communities.
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