Host communities of Lafarge Africa plc insist their rights must be protected

The host communities of Lafarge Africa plc (Lafarge Holcim) have insisted they will continue to press for their right because their young graduates need to be gainfully employed and be part of the activities in the company. Lafarge Holcim is hosted by Akamkpa and Akpabuyo local government areas of Cross River State.
Addressing a press conference, Mr Ekeng Effiong, an elder from Akpabuyo, who led other youths from the area, said that the company has not been engaging youths in the area in most of their activities but said, “we will not hesitate to press for what is rightly ours because our young graduates need to be gainfully employed and be part of the activities of the company”

They, however, pledged their support for the smooth operations and activities in the plant. Their reaction, according to DAILY POST followed a protest which occurred on July 19 by a cross section of some youths from the areas who were demanding for employment, contracts and basic amenities in the area.
However, Effiong noted that the communities in the area have been very peaceful since the commencement of the plant, “We will continue to support the progress of the plant because we are also direct beneficiaries of what is going on in the company.
“We are not confrontational, we will continue to promote business activities in the area with a view for other companies to come in and invest”, but urged the management of the company not to relent in providing social amenities for the host communities.

Mr Festus Bassey, a youth leader from Akamkpa local government, said that youths in the area were not violent, adding that they will continue to engage the company in meaningful dialogue with a view to meeting all their demands.

“We want employment for our youths. Youths from both communities are very peaceful and ready to corporate with the management of Lafarge. We are looking forward to Lafarge management to grant our rights by employing our youths, giving us contracts, building schools and providing portable water among other things,“ he stated.
DAILY POST had reported a protest embarked upon by youths of the host communities of Lafarge Holcim PLC (United Cement Company UNICEM) of Nigeria, Mfamosing plant in Akamkpa local government area of Cross River which disrupted operations of the Cement Company.

The youths were about 1000 and drawn from Akpabuyo and Akamkpa local government areas of the state. They erected barricades that prevented staff of the company from entering their offices and forcing the company to put production on hold.
The youths said that the company had been marginalising indigenes of the host communities for a long time now as they were only employed to work as labourers, adding that none of their sons or daughters is employed as direct staff in the managerial cadre of the company.
“Enough of the modern slavery, our youths have worked for over 8 years without promotion. They keep telling us that our youths don’t have the technical-know-how, even when they have refused to train them. We want them to relocate the headquarters of the company from Lagos back to Calabar. How can they take the head office to Lagos when all the raw materials and production of cement is done here?” the youths queried.