Bollore Transport and Logistics, a subsidiary of Freetown Terminal, has been playing a critical role in developing the human resource capital of the country and also supporting the development of communities and the less privileged, thereby contributing positively to the development of the nation.
Under the leadership of Capt. Fabjanko Kokan, the company has retained its 318 staff even though its activities are impacted by outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Head of Human Resource, Bollore Transport and Logistics, Claurinda Morgan said that the minimum wage of the company exceeds Le1, 100,000 excluding allowances. She said that the company spent Le 2.5 billion the previous year in health cover for its staff, adding that the health policy of the company covers employees and their spouses and four dependents. She further noted that they also have a loan scheme for their employees. She added that the Company prides itself in building the capacities of Sierra Leonean employees outlined a series of trainings that staff of Company are subjected to.
She said that Sierra Leoneans constitute over 95 % of the workforce of the Company and the few expatriates in the company are there to transfer knowledge to the local staff.
The Head of Communication, Gasimu Fofanah said that company has spent over Le 1.137 billion in its corporate social responsibility of recent times. Some of the project supported by the company include, provision of food stuff and Veronica buckets to Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Freetown and Makeni, Constituencies 121 and 122, Moa Wharf and the Seaside communities; support to the King George VI Home of the Aged; support to the Ross Road Police Station; provision of 200 bags of cement for road construction in the Seaside Community; support to fight against breast cancer; provision of assorted school materials and bags to Constituency 122; provision of 5,000 litre water tank and plumbing materials for water accessibility in the Moa Wharf community; supporting ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ campaign; construction of Moa Wharf community centre; provision of scholarship to students residing at the Moa wharf and Seaside communities, among others.
The Country Manager Capt. Fabjanko Kokan said that the company has been pursuing a policy of empowering Sierra Leoneans thereby contributing to developing the human resource of the nation. He noted that over the years the company has hired the services of expert trainers who have built the capacities of locals in the different sectors of the Port. He believes that work done by expatriates could be done by locals if they are empowered.
Captained Kokan said that even though the activities of the Company are impacted by COVID-19, they did not renege on their corporate social responsibility. He said that they are passionate about supporting communities where they operate and contributing meaningfully to the development of the nation. He spoke about plans to support an organization that caters for street children and those who suffer abuse. He spoke passionately about the need for all to stand up for the rights of children.
The Quality Health and Safety Manager, Abdul Sanoh said that over the years the Company had fully implemented its health and safety policies and had trained staff to ensure their safety at work. He said that accidents involving staff at the port have been nonexistent except for few minor incidents, and added that the Company is fully implementing the COVID-19 measures and that there has been no reported positive case of COVID-19 among staff.
By Alusine Sesay
23/11/2020. ISSUE NO: 7955