OF the myriad challenges that poor countries contend with in the quest to become developed economies, infrastructure deficit and inadequately skilled population rank high. These two inadequacies have negative multiplier effects in dragging down economic growth. Development economists lay a great emphasis on citizen wellbeing, which is significantly explained by the education and skills populations possess, along with critical infrastructure like power, shelter, affordable modern transportation and durable roads among others in stimulating economic growth.

The need to bridge the infrastructure gap exerts pressure on both government and private companies –there is an expectation that the latter has some role to play in alleviating infrastructure deficiencies even if a modest one. Evidently, governments that demonstrate a visible commitment to boosting social and physical infrastructure find it easier to enlist private corporations in supporting them. And where Governments and corporations fruitfully collaborate, the march towards infrastructure expansion and economic development   is hastened.

The synergy between Ogun State government and Lafarge presents a classic example of Government-investor collaboration.  Since it berthed in the state, Lafarge has made significant investments in infrastructure provision and implemented intervention initiatives across multiple sectors including education, skill acquisition and empowerment, healthcare and provision of affordable housing among others.

Since its creation in 1976, Ogun State has benefitted from its proximity to Lagos in terms of location of industries and closeness to the Lagos market.  More than 350 firms have berthed in the state since the incumbent governor, Ibikunle Amosun assumed office in 2011.  It is heart-warming to see the state wear a new look with the commissioning of road dualisation projects in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ota, Igua, Ijohun, Papalanto and Ilaro. Without taking away from the importance of other road projects, the flyovers in Sagamu and Ijebu Ode will ease travel and make it safer along the two axis of the ever busy Lagos-Benin Expressway.

Lafarge Africa Plc. has over the years become a major building materials company in Nigeria. The company has plant operations in Ogun State – one in Sagamu and two in Ewekoro with current production capacity standing at 4.5 million metric tonnes per annum. The Ewekoro factory was established in 1959 when the company used to be known as West African Portland Cement (it later transformed into Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria PLC). Today’s Lafargec has over 3,000 direct employees in Nigeria; 95% of these employees are Nigerians and Ogun State indigenes. Their international training is one of the benefits to Nigerian workers in the industry made possible by the presence in Nigeria of the world’s biggest and most advanced building materials companies. Another 12,000 Nigerians are indirectly employed through secondary activities including sales outlets, logistics operations, outsourcing activities and sundry suppliers.

Lafarge Africa Plc in conjunction with AFD (French Development Agency and LAPO (Lift Above Poverty Organisation of Nigeria) plans to build 30,000 low cost housing units by 2018. This collaboration has already delivered the N1.3 billion Affordable Housing project know as Ile Irorun (House of Comfort), in communities in Ogun State. Lafarge Africa Plc’s expansion through direct investment and a string of stakeholding in cement companies spread across different geo-political zones of the country Lafarge instigated the lowering of cement prices in Nigeria and consequently made home ownership less expensive.

Education is a major focus of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. In Sagamu and environs, Lafarge has helped with the re-construction of classroom blocks in five public primary schools, underscoring the importance of good quality classrooms and learning outcomes. Furthermore, over 2, 318 students of tertiary institutions in the state have thus far benefitted from tertiary grants under the Lafarge Africa Scholarship Scheme.

Through its initiative, the Lafarge Book on Wheels (BOW), Lafarge Africa staff-volunteers engage public school pupils in book reading sessions. The Lafarge Technical Apprenticeship Scheme allows science students to garner practical knowledge and technical skills in the fields of Electronics, Mechanical engineering and Automation for 18 months. Also, the company renovated and equipped the Tuberculosis unit and Pharmacy department at the Sagamu Legacy Health Centre.

Through the 220MW power plant at its Ewekoro cement plant, the company is transferring a part of the generated power to the national grid. Valued at $400 million, the Waste-to-Energy, independent power project will eventually supply power to 1.4 million Nigerian households.

• Dosumu, a company executive, is a native of Sagamu