The Ogun State government has urged private sector companies and organizations operating in the state to share in the burden of their host Communities by engaging in enhanced Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in their various domains.
At a one day sanitisation workshop for corporate organisations in Ogun State, the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Chief Samuel Aiyedogbon, pointed out that private sector companies should not leave the development of their host communities to the state government alone.
Chief Aiyedogbon, in a statement read by the head of media in the ministry, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, noted that the government, as an architect of industrial process, has the mandate to ensure that harmonious relationship and peaceful co-existence exist between host communities and industrial organisations.
Harmonize Relationship
The workshop was organised to ensure a peaceful co-existence between communities and private companies located in the different communities.
“For any company to enjoy industrial sustainability and growth, it should take CSR initiatives seriously,” Aiyedogbon stressed.
“Part of the government’s responsibility is to strategize and devise means through which companies can give back to the Communities as a form of Corporate Social Responsibility.
“It is important that these organisations involve the Ministry of Community Development and Cooperatives before embarking on the CSR initiatives in order to guide against individuals or group of persons extorting them. The Ministry would assist in organising a meeting that will be attended by the executives of host community, government representatives and the company’s representatives to ensure that the desires of host communities are met.” Aiyeogbon said.
In a presentation, titled “Industrialisation and investment efforts in Ogun State – the journey so far”, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, urged companies to contribute to the economic and social well-being of people in the country and communities where they operate.
He stated that the government expected private sector companies to be good neighbours, share in the concerns of their host communities and dedicate their capabilities to creating a better future for the community and the country at large.
