‘Lafarge leveraging on ERGP to partner stakeholders in construction solutions’
The Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mobolaji Balogun, has said that the company will continue to deliver strong and viable construction solutions and building materials sector leveraging on the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
Speaking at a recent event in Lagos to present the 2017 sustainability Report of the company, he said sustainability is integral to the company’s operations across areas where it operates, and formed a pivotal arm of the company’s Standard Operating Procedures’ (SOP).
According to him, with strong bearing on sustainable development strategy, Lafarge Africa has been able to achieve growth as a business and add value to its shareholders.
He said “We are confident that the focus on delivering much-needed investments in infrastructure, job creation and affordable housing will boost economic consumption of cement and consequently increase capacity utilisation for local cement manufacturers”.
“In achieving its sustainability goals, the company deployed an inclusive approach to fostering growth, empowerment and development within host communities through continuous stakeholder engagement and prioritization of their needs.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa, Michel Puchercos, said management is fully focused on its prevailing 2030 plan which revolves around four key pillars including caring for the climate and protecting the circular economy will always be crucial matters, adding that the company is taking significant steps to reduce its CO2 emissions.
Giving further insights on the plan, he recalled that in 2016, the company focused on energy consumption by increasing the use of alternative fuel such as palm kernel shells and wood waste.
In his views, the strategy has created employment and business opportunities for its local community stakeholders.
“Under its third pillar – water and nature, the company has identified areas of progress and refocusing its operations with the aim of sustainably reducing its environmental footprint.
“Overall, our efforts enabled us to close the year out with satisfied stakeholders, especially within the communities as we promised in the people and communities pillar of our 2030 plan to work in partnership to provide solutions to their challenges,” Puchercos averred.
Continuing, he added that “Our overreaching value is health and safety and it is at the core of everything we do. Our ambition is to achieve zero harm to people and create a healthy and safe environment for all our stakeholders.”
Business Hilights recalls that the company recently concluded a successful Rights issue at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), raising a substantial amount of fund to drive business expansion and operations infrastructure to deepen revenue.
