Ashaka Cement Company has relocated three communities affected by its quarry activities at its factory in Bajoga of Funa-Kaye local government area of Gombe state.

They were moved to a place of their choice at the cost of over N100 million, the company said.
The three settlements, Jauro Buba, Jauro Yaya and Jauro Chindo, have been relocated some kilometers away at Sabon Gari where the company built 52, 2-bedroom flats for the settlers with a primary school, three hand pumps, a dispensary and three mosques.

During a visit to the new settlement on Thursday, the co-President, Cement Division of Lafarge Group, owners of Ashaka, who is in charge of Africa, Mr. Guillaume Roux said the resettlement of the affected people and provision of basic amenities was in line with the company’s community development efforts.
In his response, the leader of the new community, Sarki Jibir Lariski, thanked the management of the company for its magnanimity in providing them a befitting place to live with all the necessary facilities, assuring that the community would continue to live in peace with the company for the development of the area.

In an interview with newsmen after the ceremony, Mr. Roux, who is visiting Nigeria for the first time to familiarize himself with Lafarge subsidiaries in the country, described the visit as fruitful and an eye opener for understanding the investment potentials of the country.

While assuring that the Lafarge Group would continue to implement policies that would improve relationship between Ashaka Factory and its host communities, Mr. Roux, who is also the Group’s Executive Vice President, said Lafarge was also committed to the safety of its employees and the care of the environment.