By Stanley Onyekwere
An Abuja based indigenous construction company has built and donated a 1.5 kilometer asphalted road to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
It was gathered that the project valued at N90 million was embarked upon by S & M Nigeria Limited at Dawaki in Bwari Area Council of the Territory, as residents of the area commended the company for the gesture.
One of the residents of the area, who gave his name as Mr. James Udofia, noted that the indigenous firm has demonstrated commitment and corporate governance, just as he described the road project as “uncommon gesture”.
Udofia also revealed that before the intervention of the company, most developers within the area have relocated to other areas due to bad road network, stressing that with this singular gesture the value of property will increased considerably.
According to him, “honestly, when this construction work was ongoing, I thought the project was being executed by Bwari Area Council or Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD). I have given the credit to government.
“ However, I was amazed when one of my neighbours whispered to me that a private firm is constructing the road on Corporate Social Responsibility basis.
“As a matter of fact, I have not seen this type of gesture before now. To most of us residing in Danwaki, this is uncommon gesture and we are grateful to the hand that giveth.
“ I can tell you categorically that before now, many developers have relocated to other areas where they have good road network. You will only appreciate this project if only one know the condition of this road before now. It was in a terrible shape.”
When contacted, the Managing Director of S & M Nigeria Limited, Bldr. Solomon Akinwole Ogunbusola, said the company embarks on the road project as a way of giving back to society and to promote corporate governance in the Territory.
Ogunbusola, revealed that the firm is poised to build a brand, arguing that despite the substance of criticism, corporate social responsibility pays off for the firm as well as for the organization’s stakeholders and society.
“Being a socially responsible company can bolster a company’s image and build its brand. Social responsibility empowers employees to leverage the corporate resources at their disposal to do good.
“Formal corporate social responsibility can boost employee morale and lead to greater productivity in the workforce. Any action that a company takes to give back to society can fall under the CSR umbrella.
“Regardless of the substance of criticism, CSR has frequently been accompanied by calls for improved social control of business or, more briefly, improved corporate governance.
“ I strongly believe that corporate social responsibility pays off for the firm as well as for the organization’s stakeholders and society,” he affirmed
He, therefore, promised that his company will continue to embark on more of such projects especially in rural communities to support government efforts in promoting good governance in the Territory.
