Lawmaker urges companies to provide host communities with basic needs

A lawmaker, Mr Hilary Bisong, has called on companies operating in Cross River to live up to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by providing the basic needs of their host communities.

Bisong, representing Boki II state constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Calabar, capital of Cross River.

He said that it was important for multi-national companies operating in the state to identify with their host communities in ensuring that some of their basic needs were provided.

“As a lawmaker, I have sponsored a corporate social responsibility bill in the assembly and that bill has scaled through second reading.

“The bill seeks to bring companies to a round-table discussion and negotiate on what they will do for their host communities.
“Some communities need roads, schools, hospitals, electricity and other things.

“It is the responsibility of some of these multi-national companies to come to the aid of these affected communities by providing them with some basic needs,’’ he said.

According to Bisong, the initiative to sponsor the bill become necessary because some multi-national companies operating in the state are not living up to their responsibilities.

“Cross River is a peaceful state for investors, but in spite of the safety of the companies and their huge profits, some of them have not done much in identifying with their host communities.

“It is a common knowledge that to whom much is given much is expected and we expect some of these multi-national companies to do more.
“We need support from corporate entities in order to meet up with the yearnings of citizens of Cross River,’’ the lawmaker said.

He, however, said that the 8th legislative assembly of the state was committed to making laws that would have direct benefits on the citizenry.