Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has called for the support of Lafarge Africa Plc and other multinational companies operating along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway as government makes efforts to reconstruct the ever-busy road.

Abiodun said reconstructing the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway will have multiple effects on the socio-economic development of Ogun State, while companies who have their base of operations along the route stand to benefit more.

The governor said this when the management team of Lafarge paid a courtesy visit to his office in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Wednesday, January 24.

He regretted the deplorable state of the road, even as he recalled the various palliative interventions by the Ogun State Government to lessen the pains of motorists.

Abiodun said though Ogun State has secured the permission of the federal government to reconstruct the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, the cost, which was initially put at about N70 billion, would be in the region of N150 billion or more due to the high cost of asphalt, diesel, and cement as a result of inflation.

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He said: “It is important we sit down and identity what portion of the expanse of that road Larfarge and the likes are going to contribute because the truth is that you are one of the biggest contributors to the condition of that road.

“Your trucks are causing damage to the road. They are carrying cement and raw materials, and most of those trucks are even overcapacitating the design of the road.”

Abiodun called on the management of Larfarge to use global best practice in disposing industrial waste in their areas of operation.

Acknowledging the company’s longstanding commitment to the local economy, Governor Abiodun emphasised the crucial role of collaboration with the private sector in addressing the challenges of sustainable economic growth and job creation.

He also commended Lafarge for its impact on industrial activities, providing valuable employment opportunities for residents and fostering skills development.

Responding, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lafarge, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, highlighted the company’s 64-year history of contributing to the economic growth of the Ewekoro axis.

“Lafarge is part of the Holcim Group, one of the world’s leading building materials giants. A commitment to the sustainable development of every community and every country in which we operate is fundamental, non-negotiable principle in our business,” Alade-Akinyemi said.

The Star