By Samuel Temiloluwa
Lokoja
The Mangal Industry has disbursed over N20 million worth of medical and educational materials to some residents of its communities, Iluhagba, Ijumu Local Government and Mopa, Mopa-Muro Local Government areas of Kogi State.
This is in fulfilment of the company’s community social responsibility to its host communities.
It is also in line with Section 116 of the 2007 Act, transferring social and economic benefits to the host community.
It will be recalled Mangal Industry started operations a year ago in the communities.
Speaking at the event, which was well attended by representatives of the two host communities, Executive Director, Alhaji Nasiru Ladan, representing the Managing Director, commended the host communities for the cordial and mutual relationship that had provided a peaceful atmosphere for the company to operate over the past year.
He noted that Mangal Industry will continue to fulfill its obligations with utmost sincerity to promote the harmonious relationship.
The General Manager, Administration and Human Resources, Dr. Umar Musa, stated that the company will continue to do its best to carry the host communities along as agreed in the Community Development Agreement, pointing out that the current CDA will lapse in 2028.
He said the Iluhagba community should not think they are not being taken care of, as the organisation is committed to implementing their CDA agreement.
He stressed that the road and police station projects have been approved, with the projects estimated to cost over N170 million.
He urged them to understand that the company will adequately implement a lot of CDA and CSR projects for the host communities.
The General Manager, Engineering and Technical Services, Engr. Adamu Mohammed Maaji, also appreciated the host communities for their peaceful nature, which he said has created a conducive atmosphere for the company to operate.
Maaji assured them of the company’s continuous working relationship with the host communities.
The Community Relations Manager, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, said that, the projects commissioned include supply of drugs and medical equipment to Mopa General hospital and Supply of books and educational materials.
He also listed eight solar powered boreholes, scholarships to 25 secondary school students, 20 tertiary institution students ( 10 from both communities)’ aside from the scholarship, educational and medical materials given out, as other items donated.
Nwachukwu, said the event also provided an opportunity to inauguratthe boreholes already provided across various communities in the two local government areas as agreed in the CDA agreement.
He further revealed that the company has provided three solar-powered boreholes in Iluhagba community, one in Odokoro-Gbede, Agrigbon-Gbede, and Iyara community, respectively, while in Mopa, one was provided in Ijagbe-Mopa and Adogbe-Mopa.
He said scholarships worth N250,000 were provided for 20 students of tertiary institutions, 10 each for the two local government areas.
He said the scholarship also covers WAEC, NECO, and JAMB registration fees for senior secondary school students and tertiary institutions, pointed out that total cost is put at N106 million.
An Environmental Compliance Officer from the the Federal Ministry of Mineral Development, Engr. E.O. Olaitan commended the company for adhering to the rules and regulations on the implementation of the CDA.
He pointed out that the ministry has designed a mechanism for redress in case the host community lacks adequate knowledge before entering the CDA.
He further revealed that every CDA and CRS typically lasts for 5 years, after which it can be reviewed to accommodate new issues or address inadequacies.
He appealed to the host communities to maintain peace with the company, as the government, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, will not allow mining companies like Mangal Cement to cheat anyone.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiary schools, the Principal of Technical College, Mopa, Mr. Ode Olusegun Mark, commended Mangal Industry for the kind gesture of alleviating the suffering of students, especially those from poor backgrounds.
He pointed out that within the short period of their operations in the area, they have put smiles on the faces of the people.
Mrs. Lewu Janet Funmilayo, who received the medical materials on behalf of Mopa General Hospital, praised the company for providing quality drugs and other medical materials, enabling people in the area to access quality healthcare services.
She stressed that the drugs supplied were of international quality and would go a long way in assisting the people.
Adeoye Serah and Alabi Ibukunmi Folorunsho, students of Kogi State College of Education Technical, Mopa, spoke on behalf of beneficiary students, appreciating the company’s scholarship gesture, which has helped alleviate their suffering.
The company has promised to continue doing its best.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
