By HABIBU HARISU

BUA Cement Company has signed a five-year document as a roadmap guiding its community development initiatives in Sokoto State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roadmap is expected to guide the company?s programmes under its Social Responsibility Services (CRS) to host communities in the state.

The BUA Managing Director, Mr Yusuf Binji, signed the document on behalf of the company while three traditional rulers signed for the respective communities in Sokoto.

The traditional rulers include: Sarkin Rafin Gumbi, Alhaji Sama?ila Abdulkadir- Mujeli; Ardon Wajeke, Alhaji Mailato Gumbi; and Ubandoman Arkilla, Alhaji Aliyu Hassan-Liman.

Binji, who was represented at the occasion by the Director Plant Operations, Mr Bashar Aminu, said the document was compiled with inputs from host communities, guided by officials from the State Government and Wamakko Local Government Area (LGA).

?The document outlined agreements reached with host communities, Sokoto state and Wamakko LGA, supervised by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development?, said Binji.

Binji assured that the contents would serve as guides on people oriented projects and programmes to be executed in host communities by the company.

He called for Increased understanding, respect and cordial relationships between the company, communities and authorities which would serve as lubricants to the success of company?s programmes.

Earlier, the Assistant Director, Administration and Corporate Affairs, Mr Sada Suleiman, said the CRS projects includes healthcare support to 18 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), Students scholarship scheme, Vocational training programme and education infrastructural development supports.

Others include establishment of a technical college, electricity installations support, provision of potable water and construction of numerous road projects across the communities.

Suleiman added that the company had also reached agreement on patronising eligible contractors from the host communities on its services with a 35 per cent quota of employment opportunities for indigents during recruitment exercise.

He said annual distribution of bags of cements for the repair of public places across the communities remained mandatory based on the agreement.

In his remark, the Commissioner of Solid Minerals, Alhaji Abdulkadir Maccido, described the event as a landmark achievement in the state, adding that the present administration would continue to encourage more investments into the state.

Mr Nasir Binji, the Commissioner for Justice, commended the efforts and urged parties to ensure proper implementation of the projects and services in the affected communities for maximum benefit.

The event was attended by Chairman of Wamakko LGA, Alhaji Umar Dundaye, and officials from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. (NAN)

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