Bollore Transport and Logistics Company Country Manager, Capt. Fabjanko Kokan told journalists on Friday during the end of year meet that the company’s operations have been based on Local Content, which has given them stability and success. He said Bollore has been in Sierra Leone for 55 years, and they have been successful ensuring that the country’s port is well managed.
“In Bollore we have cultivated a string management making sure that all management staff performs their roles with respect and space. We have Freetown Terminal Limited, Bollore Shipping and Bollore Logistics; all three entities form the Bollore Transport and Logistics Company.”
Believing in team work, Capt Kokan allowed all the managers to explain their functions. The head of Human Resources (HR) Claurinda Morgan said her department is more than hiring and firing, and more of social engagement and training as she believes that these conditions bring stability, which will make staff not want to leave.
“Currently, we have 318 staff and six managers, of which four of them are expatriates. We have 44 contracted staff as we renew their contracts annually, and they get all the benefits permanent staff gets except for some allowances. In 2019, 17 staff left us and we had no casualty. The least paid staff in the company is Le1,142,000 monthly and in 2019, the company spent Le2.5 billion on medication for staff and their spouses, and four children.”
Ms Morgan said overtime and inconvenience allowance are paid to affected staff. She averred that the succession plan is always ongoing, as eventually all expatriates will have to leave and Sierra Leoneans will have to take over. “We make sure that all insurance are done and those that should be paid will receive their payment, and the company maintains an emergency loan for its workers.”
The Quality, Health Safety and Environment Manager, Patrick Sannoh said since 2011 they developed a safety policy for their workers which have proven successful. He said they also developed an alcohol and drugs policy and made sure they have safety consultations every Friday.
“These consultations allow us to identify risks and try to avert them immediately. We also have emergency drills and provide PPEs for staff as well as safety equipment to keep them safe on the job.” Mr. Sannoh said they had one fatality in 2013, but since then none, adding that they had minor accidents in 2017, two major ones in 2018, and one in 2019.
“When Ebola broke out in 2014 we were lucky to have followed all protocols and we had no victim. This gave us the advantage to fight Covid; and until now we are again safe with no victim. We had to develop our own protocols and combine with the government policy to make sure that we are safe at all times. Three of our nurses were sent to NaCOVERC for further training and when they came back they were able to help us all to stay safe.”
He said they are always working with MOHS and NGOs on health issues as they regularly undertake random tests. He also said because of the risk involved at the port they also send their workers to the Fire Force for training, as they are partners.
Mr Sannoh said Covid has cost the company about Le600 million to acquire equipment, materials and trainings to make sure that the port is safe and free of the virus. Terminal Analyst and Documentation Manager, Mr Darrell Coker said his job is to make sure that their customers are always smiling through accurate billing and weekly foreign exchange notice.
He said they have been complying with the Finance Act so that the government and customers will get what they deserve. “We also have a strong partnership with the ACC and CID to make sure that we keep our staff on their toes. We always want to keep our books in order and because of that we make sure that we organise training and make them follow the ethics of the job. In 2019 we waived off about Le30 billion because we make sure that we do all in our power to make sure that customers are able to clear their goods from the port.”
He said when Covid struck they increased their banks to two, and they are now working with Ecobank and Guaranty Trust Bank to make it easier for their customers. Now, he said, they are trying to get the mobile companies onboard so that customers can use mobile money to make payments. Mr Coker said they now work on Saturdays, adding that the company would even like to work on Sundays, if possible, to ease the pressure on their customers.
Sylvain Ndour, who is the Technical Manager, said his job is to make sure that all equipment are in good order and available for use. He said in his section he has only two expat staff, and the rest are locals who have been trained to operate all the equipment. The Financial Controller, Mr Amidu Jalloh said their accounting system is of international standard, and that they follow the laws of Sierra Leone.
He said food export decreased by 11% this year from what they exported last year; vehicles also decreased this year by 16%. On clearing containers from the port, he said last year it took 12.7 days to clear a container, but after they started working on Saturdays, this year it takes 9.5 days to clear same.
Meanwhile, Captain Kokan closed by saying they have done a lot, and will continue to work for the development of Sierra Leone.