Hitech begins social impact program for affected

By Chukwuma Umeorah

Hitech Construction has commenced its Social Impact and Livelihood Restoration Initiatives for Project-Affected Communities (PACs) along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (LCCH), covering areas from Oniru to Eleko in Section 1 of the project.

The initiative, which began yesterday, focuses on vocational skills training to equip individuals with practical knowledge for sustainable livelihoods.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project officially began in March 2024, with reports indicating that over 750 houses would be affected by the construction. While compensation for displaced residents falls under the Federal Government’s responsibility, Hitech Construction stated that its initiative is aimed at supporting vulnerable groups.

Speaking during the launch at the Eti-Osa Skills Training Centre in Lagos Saturday, Community Relations Manager, Hitech Construction, Prince David Omaghomi, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to global best practices in social responsibility. He announced that selected members of the community will be trained in a diverse range of vocational soft and hard skills including heavy-duty operations, solar power and electrical, mansory, tailoring, catering, videography, among others to better prepare them for emerging economic opportunities.

“As a responsible contractor, we recognize that large-scale infrastructure projects impact local communities. Beyond compensation handled by the Federal Government, we have taken proactive steps to ensure that vulnerable groups and those not eligible for compensation are not left behind. Our social impact initiatives, starting with vocational training, are part of our broader commitment to long-term community development.”

He further stated that upon completion of the training program, exceptional participants whose acquired skills align with the project’s needs will be considered for employment opportunities, enabling them to contribute directly to the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Omaghomi also highlighted the launch of a grievance redress mechanism to ensure that concerns from affected residents are addressed. “We also launched the grievance redress mechanism to ensure that the voice of everybody matters as it relates to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. So far, we have also recorded progress and addressed them,” he added.

Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government, Saheed Bankole, represented by Kadiri Samuel, commended the initiative, describing it as an opportunity for community transformation. “We can say that as part of their corporate social responsibility, we are benefiting greatly from them because it would impact lives. Therefore, there will be changes in our community and society at large.”

Bankole emphasised the potential of the initiative in addressing youth unemployment and reducing social vices.

“Our young people will no longer be caught in social vices. Rather, they will be productive, they will be efficient, and they will make more money. As a government, this is what we support. We do believe that more young people and the aged interested in joining would join, because we have begun sensitising them on the benefits of this initiative. As the government at the grassroots, we would continue to pass across the information,” he stated.

A community member, Omotuyola Adeomoba, who enrolled in the mechanical skill training described the initiative as “an excellent one”, stressing that unemployed youth could benefit greatly from the programme.