Follow Lafarge Africa’s Footsteps In Community Devt, Ogun Community Leaders Urge Firms

Leaders of Isoso Community in Shagamu, Ogun State, have commended the contribution of Lafarge Africa Plc to the construction of the first police station in the community.

The community leaders, while speaking at the handover ceremony of the police station to officers of the Nigerian Police Force, said other companies should emulate Lafarge Africa’s commitment to the development of its host communities.

The chairman, Royal Initiative for Development of Shagamu Community (RIDSCO), Sammy Ogunjimi, narrated that the project was started by the Isoso Community leaders before RIDSCO came in, however, it was later put on hold due to financial constraints.

“We faced challenges beyond our expectations and we reached out to Lafarge Africa to support us. They accepted and today, we are here for the handover ceremony. This would not have been possible without them. We have a lot of ongoing projects aimed at developing our community and we depend on partners like Lafarge Africa.

I urge other companies to emulate what Lafarge Africa is doing. Having this police station will improve security within the community,” Ogunjimi said.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo stressed the need for security presence in the community, saying that “while driving to this location, I understand the reason why there is a need for a police station in this vicinity.  Communities always want to have police presence, but there is a difference between wanting something and making it happen.

“We are grateful for the resolve of the community to make this happen. We will provide logistics and personnel for effective operation. I also call on the community to hold us accountable for our work and maintenance of this property. Ogun State is the most industrialised state in Nigeria, and Shagamu is part of this. There is a need to provide a secure environment for businesses and we will also support them to achieve this.”

Head of Sustainability and Sponsorships, Lafarge Africa, Gabriel Pollyn, who represented the group managing director/CEO, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said it is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to public safety and the development of their host communities.

Head of the Isoso Family, Alhaji Ganiyu Oladipo, commended Lafarge Africa for making the dream a reality, and pledged the community’s support for the police in carrying out their duties.