Upperhill News

The Ogun State Government has advised companies within the length and breadth of its domain to work towards having the input of their host communities in order to have a clear understanding of their needs before coming up with interventions under the
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

This was made known by the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela while speaking at the programme organised for the elderly by Lafarge Africa in Ewekoro area of the State.

The. Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, said host communities must be able to benefit exponentially from the operations of companies in their domain.

Sofela also urged the various industries to ensure indigenes of the communities have a place on their employment list as a way of giving back to the place from where they get materials for their business activities.

“I want to advise that you do things on Need-Basis .The people should tell you what exactly their need is and it must be on continuous basis because to whom much is given, much is expected. You are drawing your major raw materials from the community and they they must be able to benefit exponentially from what you are doing there,” he said.

Assuring the company of government support, the Commissioner said the Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration remain resolute in its determination to continue to create an enabling environment for business to thrive.

In his remarks, the Group Managing Director, Lafarge Africa, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi,said the programme is aimed at supporting aged members of the host communities, particularly retirees and vulnerable individuals with the care and assistance they need to lead fulfilling lives.

Also speaking, the Onipapa of Papalanto, Oba Abdul-Rasak Jimoh Famuyiwa, solicited for peaceful cooperation of the host communities and called on residents to support the companies.