Kogi Assembly lawmakers take oversight function to Mangal Cement factory in Ijumu
Democracynewsline
Members of the Kogi State House of Assembly has taken it oversight functions to Mangal Cement factory located in Ijumu Local Government Area of the State for an on the spot assessment of what is happening in the company and to ascertain their performance on corporate social responsibilities and other related matters.
Led by the Chairman, House standing committee on Commerce, Industry, and Public Partnership, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Obaro Emmanuel, he disclosed that the lawmakers are not in the company to witch hunt them but to see how the State could come in to improve on their productivity.
“By the power conferred to use as lawmakers in this eight Assembly, we have the right to carry out oversight functions. It is expected for us to go back and give feedback to the Government on what we have seen here on how they could assist the company for the benefit of Kogi State.
He hinted that the current administration has zero tolerance to illegality and criminalities in the State.
“Mangal cement came to add value to the economic development of Kogi State. Am optimistic that you all know your cooperate social responsibility towards ensuring that move forward “he added.
Hon. Olawunmi, who is the member representing Mopa Muro State Constituency maintained that they are policy makers who are representing the interest of the people.
Explaining further, he said” If there is anything, it is important to inform the assembly so that we can see how we can come in. I hope the management is aware of the present tax reform by the federal government which Kogi State is in support of it.
” Before now, there has been several taxes in the State but this is becoming a thing of the past. We are not here to kill businesses in Kogi State but to improve on them. Taxes will be harmonize in the Kogi State and I can assure the management that this will be done soon.
“Just like the chairman of this committee earlier said, there is no ignorance in law. It is not possible that the management will inform us that they don’t know that the company is expected to register with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
He charged the cement Company to immediately do the needful to avoid distortion of their operations in the State.
The Lawmaker asked for what happened that the cement factory was allegedly changed from proposed Mopa Muro cement factory to Mangal Cement.
His words “How come there is a change of name from the proposed initial plans? Has this company been paying your taxes as at when due?This are questions that we demand answers. There are complains everywhere. The blasting activities is also affecting the people. With this company situated here, alot of people will be coming here, but we don’t want to endanger our people”.
On her part, the Lawmaker representing Ijumu State Constituency Hon. Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye while commending the company for starting up in a good note said they remain committed for the progress of Kogi State.
She tasked the management to always carry Women along in the discharge of their duties stressing that, more Women should be given opportunities in the employment space.
Also speaking, the member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency Hon. Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin said they are expecting that the prices of cement will crash in Kogi following the establishment of Mangal cement.
“Kogi State can not be producing cement and the prices is still on the increase. This must be looked into for the interest of our People. There should be immediate reuction in price of Cement so that our people can buy it at an affordable rate”.
Responding to some of the issues raised by the lawmakers, the Executive Director, Mangal Cement Nasiru Ladan averred that the company remains committed in meeting their corporate social responsibilities in Kogi State.
He added that the organization has been up to date in the payment of their taxes stressing that, the State Government has given the company maximum support since it was established in the State.
“We have gotten a lot of support from the Kogi State Government. We really appreciate their friendly business environment. Am using this medium to call for more support from the government in terms of security. We are trying our best to see how we can improve on that. Security is very key. Secondly, the issues of taxation.
“The Government should make it easy for us through harmonization of taxes. We are discussing this and all the arms of government are giving us listening ears. We pray that our appeal will be given quick attention.
On pricing he said “the cost of producing cement is very high. The production cost is going high every day. This company is still under construction and is yet to be commissioned. At time, it is not the company that is making the prices higher, sometimes it is the middle men”.
Throwing more light, the General Manager, Administration and Human Resources Dr Musa Umar noted that the company started operating in August adding that, they are optimistic of having a friendly environment in Kogi State.
“We are doing the needful and making sure that all what is required by the law is carried out by the company”he asserted.
He debunked the report that the company was formerly named Mopa Muro Cement before it was changed to Mangal Cement.
In terms of the community safety and environment, Umar emphacized that no house were been affected as a result of mining activities. He added that the company have made security arrangements for the safety of lives and properties in the place.
On their corporate social responsibility, the Community Relations Manager of the company Ifeanyi Nwachukwu asserted that they have been digging bore hole to provide portable drinking water to the community, stressing that, the company will be constructing roads and also give scholarship to many indigene of the Local Government and Kogi State in general.
Earlier in his remarks, the Clerk of the Committee, Mamud Ojonugwa had in a brief noted that the house is carrying out this oversight functions in pursuance of the provision of Section 4 of the legislative power and privileges acts and also in pari-material with or the section 103 (1) 89 and 129 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended 1999).
