By Onwa Ekor
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, says additional investment ranging from waste management and infrastructure introduced by Cement manufacturing giant, Lafarge Africa, now Holcim Cement, excites his administration.
To this end, the governor assured that his administration would continue to provide a safe, stable and serene environment for business to thrive.
Otu gave the assurance when he received a high-powered delegation of the cement manufacturing giant at Government House, Calabar.
“We have come a long way together. What excites me most is that beyond cement, you are now bringing additional investments in areas such as waste management and infrastructure. This marriage will be a strong one,” the governor assured.
He maintained that
the long-standing relationship between Cross River and Holcim need to be strengthened and built upon, in view of its numerous benefits.
The governor commended the company for its corporate social responsibility interventions, noting that such efforts had benefitted host communities and improved livelihoods.
Pledging government’s readiness to synergize with Holcim Cement in infrastructure development, including jetties, terminals, and other projects, Otu argued that the state’s natural endowments and ongoing development plans has repositioned Cross River as a prime destination for global investors.
Commending the delegation, the governor expressed optimism that the partnership would open new frontiers of growth, job creation, and prosperity in line with his administration’s People First agenda for a safe, stable, and serene business environment.
Vice President of Holcim Cement, Mr. Xu Gang, reaffirmed the company’s resolve to deepen its investments in Nigeria, particularly in Cross River.
He lauded the state government and host communities for their support, promising greater contributions to skills development, knowledge transfer, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“We did not come just to acquire Lafarge. Our vision is to expand and invest more in people, and grow their capacity.
“We are committed to supporting local communities and making Cross River a model for sustainable investment,” Gang remarked.
Group Managing Director/CEO of Lafarge Africa PLC, Mr. Lolu Alade Akinyemi, highlighted the significance of the company’s plant in Mfamosing which he described as the largest cement plant in Nigeria and an asset to the national economy.
Akinyemi also described Otu as a dependable ally of industry, praising his administration for prioritizing peace and investor confidence.
“Lafarge Africa is part and parcel of Cross River. With Holcim as our new majority shareholder, we are confident that the future holds even greater opportunities in employment, training, and sustainable development for our host communities,” Akinyemi assured.
The visit, which follows Holcim’s recent acquisition of majority shares in Lafarge Africa, underscored the multinational’s plan to expand its footprint in Nigeria beyond cement to include waste management and infrastructure solutions.
