CEMENT giant, Dangote has met with bricklayers at its head office in Lagos to promote cordial relationship.
The firm’s Regional Manager, Marketing Services, Mr Johnson Olaniyi, assured the bricklayers of the company’s assistance.
He said the firm would focus on their training and retraining , adding that the company has been to 15 states.
The company said, plans to train more artisans, adding that tools would be provided for them.
Responding, the Chairman, State Planning Committee for Block and Concrete Builders in Lagos State, Mr Segun Banjoko, said the group discussed with the company on how to sustain their relationship, adding that both parties would chart the way forward.
A few weeks ago, the Lagos State Bricklayers Association protested the alleged insensitivity by the management of Dangote Cement and shoddy treatment of its members.
The General Secretary Mr Akinmoladun Olaniyi said the group on the protested because Dangote Cement neglected its members who constitute the highest users of the firm’s product. He said efforts to get the Dangote’s attention did not yield remit.
He said: “The fact remains that the association is the highest patrons and users of Dangote Cement throughout the state, with over 40,000 members, 500 zones, 57 sub-head offices who are directly involved in the sale of the products.
“Eighty-five per cent of cement used in Lagos is from Dangote and he did not deem it fit to better the lives of the end users,” he said.
The members who carry placard bearing different inscriptions called on the cement maufacturing giant to address their plight, or risk blacklist ing of its products in the state.
Olaniyan stated that despite the support from it members in ensuring that the products get good patronage from its consumers, Dangote Cement had not made any impression in their lives.
He said: “Up till date the association still lacks a befitting secretariat and other basic amenities. There is nothing to improve our health as our members toil in the sun and rain endlessly making billion of naira for Dangote Cement.”
He said having written several letters and sent representatives to Dangote Cement, their request had not receive any response; rather its members were treated were fairly treated.
“The man thinks we are illiterates and, therefore, we cannot do anything. We have approached the company several times, but no good response is forthcoming. Look at other big companies like Dunlop and other paint companies, they have made life better the members who make use of their end products but in the case of this we are really relegated,” he added.
There is never a time that the Dangote is ready to reckoned with. This different in other sectors. For instance, Dunlop has done something for the association of vulcanizes. Why cant Dangote emulate this,” he said.