Gombe Governor To Ashaka Cement: Fix Roads Damaged By Heavy Trucks

Gombe State governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has challenged the new owners of Ashaka Cement Company Limited to take responsibility for roads damaged by heavy trucks transporting cement and other materials to and from the company.

Governor Yahaya made the demand on Monday when he received the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HBM Nigeria Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, who led the company’s executive management team, including the Managing Director of Ashaka Cement, Ibrahim Aminu, on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Gombe.

The governor said that while Ashaka Cement had a legitimate interest in expanding production and maximising profit, its operations must be matched by stronger commitments to the welfare of host communities and the environment. He called on the firm to explore ways of improving the road infrastructure leading to the cement plant.

According to him, some adjoining roads constructed by the state government had suffered damage as a result of the heavy trucks and haulage activities associated with the company.

The governor’s demand comes as HBM Nigeria Plc plans to expand Ashaka Cement’s production capacity to two million metric tonnes per annum.

Governor Yahaya said the planned expansion presented an opportunity for the company to increase its contribution to Gombe’s economic development through employment generation, local content, community development and enhanced corporate social responsibility.

Earlier, Alade-Akinyemi said HBM Nigeria Plc remained committed to the government and people of Gombe State despite the change in ownership from Lafarge Africa Plc. He said the company would prioritise local content, strategic partnerships, community development and corporate social responsibility.

The HBM chief executive also said the planned production expansion would create additional employment opportunities and stimulate activities for transporters, suppliers and other businesses within the company’s value chain.