By NOELA EBOB BISONG
The new General Manager (GM) of the National Refining Company Ltd (SONARA), Jean Paul SIMO NJONOU, who became head of the company last January 14, 2019, has appreciated the entire team of the enterprise, for waving all odds to function satisfactorily in 2018.
SIMO NJONOU made this declaration, as he received New Year wishes, 17 days after he became SONARA’s GM, on January 31, 2019, at the company’s seaside club house.
Addressing the colourful crowd which turned out for the event, the GM stated that “With regard to the balance sheet, a retrospective look at the year 2018 makes it all too clear that, despite many endogenous and exogenous challenges, SONARA has been able to function satisfactorily”.
He appreciated the fact that the company’s Extension and Modernization project is now almost completed, and congratulated all those who have worked tirelessly for the success of the said programme.
The GM was also pleased with the fact that SONARA took up the challenge to supply the local market with refined petroleum products uninterruptedly.
While noting other successful activities like the execution of operational activities, Technical Controls, Maintenance of installations, Safety and Quality Management, the Purchase of Crude oil and Marketing of refined petroleum products, as well as the enhancement of the Corporate Image and fight against disinformation, SIMO NJONOU saluted the efforts of all SONARA’s partners, in their relentless efforts to keep the company going.
He held that 2019 focuses on guaranteeing competitiveness and ensuring the healthy economy of the enterprise.
staff during New Year wishes ceremony
Principally, SONARA, in 2019, according to SIMO NJONOU, will concentrate on aspects like optimizing the distillation treatment capacity, intensify efforts towards preventive and curative maintenance ahead of any surprises, research on financing the 2nd phase of the Modernization programme of SONARA, putting in place a risk management system, reinforce strategic, technical, commercial, administrative, communication as well as financial management, and also optimize human resource management.
In line with the aforementioned issues therefore, SIMO NJONOU prescribed four specific guidelines which all in SONARA must adopt to bring in results in 2019.
Firstly, the entire team is urged to adopt the logic of an individual and collective mobilization, in the accomplishment of the tasks and missions assigned to them. “Mere presence at work will not be sufficient without concrete work”, NJONOU admitted.
Secondly, the different hierarchy levels are expected to foster a synergy of collective and inclusive action.
In the third instance, collaborators must show proof of a frank collaboration, with regard to the strict respect of hierarchy and the interest of SONARA.
As a fourth guideline, NJONOU prescribed that Trade Unions and Staff reps in charge of protecting the interests of the staff, must avoid ‘killing the goose that lays the golden eggs’ by excessive demands for social benefits, recognizing that workers’ education and participation in the economic health of SONARA is their responsibility.
NJONOU maintained that only by the above conditions will they be able to enjoy the fruits of their labour in SONARA.
As he concluded his message to his collaborators, the new GM announced that “The interest of the company must be the leitmotiv of our daily actions”.
In an earlier address preceding that of the GM, the spokesperson, Director of Administration and Human Resources, Chetima Hamidou, told SIMO NJONOU that their massive presence to wish him well in 2019 as GM of SONARA proves their will to accompany him in his mission.
He said, on behalf of the entire SONARA family, he is proud to announce that in spite of the difficulties, they worked successfully without recording any accidents. Hamidou went ahead to present to the GM the detail activities recorded across the various departments of the company in 2018.
There was a bouquet of flower handed to the GM, there were handshakes, smiles and pleasantries, photographs and snack to sanction the last SONARA event of January 2019.