Leading indigenous building solutions manufacturer, Lafarge Africa Plc has stepped up host community relations in the South-South state of Cross River by sealing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with newly constituted Community Relations Committee (CRC) to boost relations.
Driven by the state government, membership of the CRC is drawn across six partnering communities hosting the company’s Mfamosing plant within Akamkpa, Akpabuyo and Calabar Municipality Local Government Areas in the State. Others include Government agencies and NGOs’ operating in the state. The event took place at the Lafarge Africa’s administrative office in Calabar.
In her remarks during the brief ceremony, the Communications and Public Affairs Director of Lafarge Plc, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said the event was an expression of the company’s care and believe that it can positively impact communities where she operates.
She recalled that the Mfamosing CRC was inaugurated in July, 2016 to strengthen relationship between Lafarge and the communities.
According to her, Lafarge Africa believes that peace, safety, security and sustainable development can only be achieved by working with communities and contributing towards the attainment of their aspirations.
She added that “Lafarge Africa Plc cares and believes it can positively impact communities where it operates from, through variety of solutions, strong and sustainable relationship”, she said.
Chairman of the CRC, Prince Itita Bassey, saw the deal as a strategic initiative of the company to deepen host community development and better hosting relationship.
While calling on other companies operating in the state to emulate Lafarge Africa, bassey argued that the MOU, among other things, will also help to build an harmonious relationship between Lafarge and its host communities as well as relate with all stakeholders for the purpose of development and peace.
He observed that the communities are happy because their inputs were duly considered in the MoU, noting “The purpose of this MOU, among other things, is to develop a framework within which the company and Mfamosing plant host communities anticipate, understand and respond to issues by working together in a climate of understanding between the parties.”
Prominent royal fathers were present at the occasion.
