By Noela Ebob Bisong
The general manager of the National Refining Company, SONARA Limbe, Jean Paul SIMO NJONOU, has tasked the company’s workers to work as one man and give their best to ensure that SONARA remains a success. The GM made the statement during the celebration of the 133rd edition of the International Labour Day themed, Worker’s Protection: Vector of social justice and decent work in Cameroon.
The ceremony took place at the SONARA Club house, in an atmosphere of pomp and pageantry.
In the presence of Fako Senior Divisional Officer (SDO), Engamba Emmanuel Ledoux, The Government Delegate to the Limbe City Council, Motanga Andrew Monjimba and other dignitaries, SONARA GM, SIMO NJONOU reminded the workers that he is confident with them and that they should continue working hand in glove to increase the company’s profit margin and reduce expenditure.
In response to the various demands echoed by representatives of the workers trade unions, the GM stated that “The syndicates have just enumerated a catalogue of demands. We have taken note and you must note that we must work”, and promised he has decided to create a committee to work to address the problems posed by workers.
Focusing on the theme of the celebration, the SONARA boss maintained it is of vital importance, as it touches on aspects such as workers’ rights, safety, discipline, salaries and other social advantages associated with work, the work environment and workers. In SONARA, SIMO NJONOU maintained that workers work and express themselves freely, hygiene and sanitation is of standard and in line with the current wave of insecurity plaguing the South West region, management has taken certain measures to ensure that SONARA as well as its workers remain safe.
Preceding the SONARA GM, the representatives of the USLC and CSTC, Francis Lembe and Samuel Eyango, both expressed their confidence in SIMO NJONOU and assured him of their collaboration, as they are witnesses to NJONOU’s tireless efforts in steering the SONARA ship since he took over from former GM, Ibrahim Talba Malla. They however listed a host of issues for them to be addressed in line with the effective implementation of the social justice and decent work concepts. Amongst other things, the representatives highlighted the issue of housing tax cuts, the flow of water in the refinery, health policies, fuel allocation and other fringe benefits. They also requested for a package to be set aside to attend to retired workers of the company who die, proposed a new salary range to take effect from January 2020 etc.
The representatives of the workers’ trade unions nonetheless appreciated the GM, SIMO NJONOU for the creation of an Anglophone section in the SONARA College in Limbe. To them, this has really portrayed SONARA as Cameroon in miniature, that is, in line with its bilingualism nature.
The SONARA GM thanked Fako SDO and other guests for attending the reception and also congratulated the workers for their punctuality and colourful parade at the march past ceremony earlier at the Manga William avenue down beach. As a matter of fact, SIMO NJONOU himself was right present, during which he applauded his workers as they marched past the avenue in style and confidence.
The reception ceremony was animated by the SONARA music group. A sumptuous lunch, cutting of the celebration cake and dance coloured the day for workers of SONARA.
It should be recalled that this edition of the International Labour Day is the first Jean Paul SIMO NJONOU chaired as GM of SONARA, following his appoint to the helm of the company last January 2019.