Business Briefs
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THE AshakaCem Plc has signed a community development agreement with its host communities around Maiganga coal mine in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and extant regulations 2011. Rabiu Umar, managing director of the company, on Thursday, December 15, in Gombe said that the agreement was signed on December 13, at the premises of the company in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State.
He said the agreement entailed a commitment to all parties to develop a positive relationship. Umar said the signing of the agreement signalled the beginning of a new dawn in the relationship between the company and the host communities.
“AshakaCem, following the precepts of its sister company Lafarge Africa PLC remained committed to good corporate citizenship and environmental friendliness. Fulfilling all statutory and regulatory obligations and striving to exceed expectations in terms of socioeconomic development to her partnering communities is an integral part of the way we run our business,” he said.
The managing director further said the company’s environmental policy reflects on its commitment to sustainable development and approach to meeting new challenges in environmental protection. “We operate with uttermost respect for the common interest of the people. We support the host communities by generating economic growth, creating jobs, providing training and social support,” Umar said.
He said the company is currently constructing roads in the community as well as school and healthcare facility. He renewed AshakaCem’s readiness to address passionately all community issues that were routed through the committee as the only arbiter between the communities and the organisation.
Umar called for more support and constructive engagements with AshakaCem to engender the necessary conducive environment for a sustained mutual relationship and excellent performance.
Gibar Tsabta, chairman, Maiganga Community Development Association, said the agreement was reached through negotiations, adding that community representatives were involved in preparing and finalising the document. “We have put the interest of all stakeholders into consideration in arriving at the document. We will remain dedicated to its full implementation to the benefit of all, however,” Tsabta said.
The chairman assured the concerned communities of better days with increasing and value adding benefits in the agreement.
— Dec 26, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT
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