Kogiflame
By Samuel Temiloluwa Lokoja
The Mangal Industry in Iluhagba, Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State, yesterday disbursed over twenty million naira worth of medical and educational materials to beneficiaries from Mopa and Iluhagba in Mopamuro and Ijumu Local Government Areas, respectively.
This is in fulfillment of Section 116 of the 2028 Act, transferring social and economic benefits to the host community, part of the organization’s obligation as a responsible entity that started operations a year ago.
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 organization is committed to implementing their CDA agreement.
He stressed that the road and police station projects have been approved, with the project costing over one hundred and seventy million naira, and 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 has created a conducive atmosphere for the company to operate, assuring 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 Gen hospital, Supply of books and educational materials, 8 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, the event also provided an opportunity to commission the 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 3 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 of two hundred thousand naira were provided for twenty students of tertiary institutions, ten 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.
The Ministry of Mines Environmental Compliance Officer, 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 community 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.
