BUA Cement has been charged to fulfil its promise to build a world-class hospital in Okpella, its host community in Edo State.
The limestone-rich community said though the multi billion naira hospital was not part of the agreements BUA signed with it, the company should fulfill the promise it made on the project.
The community also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order cement giants operating in the state to commence the construction and expansion of Okpella-Benin Expressway under the federal government tax credit scheme.
The community’s demands were presented by one of its leaders and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Godwin Eshieshi.
In a recent chat with journalists in Abuja, Eshieshi, a former chairman of Etsako East local government area, said the reminder of BUA to build the hospital was due to the massive environmental and health hazards caused by cement production in the community.
He said, “The production process has both economic and environmental impacts on our people as toxic waste material are released back into the natural environment daily.
“Apart from the threats to our people’s health, we have witnessed poor crop yields in our farms as a result of cement manufacturing. This situation has brought untold hardship to them in terms of income from agriculture which used to be the mainstay of the entire Okpella community.”
Eshieshi emphasised the crucial role of the private sector in addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit.
Eshieshi argued that the current gap in infrastructure can only be effectively bridged through increased private sector involvement in developmental projects and incentives from the government.
He said the country’s yearly funding for road projects is clearly not enough to handle the growing need for improved roads due to abandoned road projects littered across the country as well as Nigeria’s fast-growing population.
According to Eshieshi, BUA Cement and Dangote Cement companies operate in Edo State and utilise the roads in the state which are very strategic for their business and daily operations.
He said, “These companies rely heavily on the state’s road network, which connects not only various parts of Edo but also extends to the South East, North Central, and other regions, including the South West.
“Considering to the tax breaks they receive from the government, the companies have a responsibility to address the poor condition of the roads, which causes hardship for both travelers and local businesses within and beyond the affected communities.
“Investing in infrastructure projects like road repairs would not only benefit the state but also enhance the companies’ public image, especially in areas that are economically disadvantaged.”
