From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The General Manager of the West African Ceramics Limited (WACL), Mr. Baskar Rao on Saturday said the company began the grading of the dreaded and death trap Itobe – Ofunene -Ajaokuta road to alleviate the suffering of Motorists playing the road.
Mr. Rao said though it is a Federal road and the contract for the repair of Ofunene – Itobe road had since been awarded by the Federal Government, but the WACL deemed it necessary to offer the needed palliative measures in reducing the sufferings of Nigerian motorists adding “the days when developments are left in the hands of Government alone has gone”.
The General Manager stated this at the weekend after receiving a certificate of credence from National Association of Kogi State Youths (NAKSY) in the area of Employment and Corporate Social Responsibility.
He pointed out that the company has already completed work on the Ajaokuta Steel Company “ASCO” bridge that was washed away during the rains last year, while works is equally on going on the Oguru to Ofunene road by the company.
Mr.Rao who further disclosed that the work on the Ofunene – Ajoaokuta – Itobe bridge includes grading and proper lateriting, said the company is using the Corporate Social Responsibility to ease the plight of the suffering citizenry.
The GM pointed out that the organization has concluded arrangement for the take off of its Technical College, which he noted would help train youths to acquire the needed skills in the society.
He described the investment in the youths through skills acquisition, empowerment, employment and scholarship as a deliberate efforts, said any investment in the youth is for a rewarding future.
He commended President Mohammadu Buhari for his massive investment in agriculture, saying “agriculture has the capacity of providing gainful employment in an era where white collar jobs are long gone”.
He described investment in agriculture as the way out insisting that apart from job provision, it would provide finance and reduce youths Restiveness in the society.
The GM commended the Youths for the certificate of credence, saying it is a policy to provide employment and other corporate social responsibilities to the host community.
Earlier Destiny Ibrahim, President of National Association of Kogi Youths disclosed that the Association observed the employment politicy of the WACL which according to him favours the indigenes as well as their efforts in providing corporate social responsibilities, decided to honor the organization.
