2015 is full of hope and a promising future for SONARA-GM

The General Manager of the National Oil Refining Company (SONARA), Ibrahim Talba Malla has urged all his collaborators to contribute their utmost best to the success of the company in 2015, which he describes as a year full of hope and a bearer of a promising future for the company.

Talba Malla said this, as he received New Year wishes, from directors of partner companies, technical advisers, directors, staff representatives and other collaborators, on Thursday, February 5.

Reflecting on the year 2014, the GM stated that it was one of the most difficult years for the company, for two main reasons: an ever high level of the price of Brent, dated crude oil, which was 98.92 dollars US/Baril averagely, with a peak of 111.65 USD/Baril in the month of June, and also an average parity of the US Dollar compared to the Franc CFA, which was 494.33 FCFA/$ US, with a peak of 531.95 CFA/$ US in December.

However, he said in spite of the difficulties, they were able to discharge their mission, thanks to the commitment, determination, insight and high sense of duty, on the part of the workers.

Talba Malla exalted his collaborators, for among other things, ensuring the smooth functioning of the manufacturing units which helped to ensure the treatment of crude oil to the tune of 1,820,000 MT, the marketing of 1,175,000 MT all finished products included at the national level and the CEMAC zone, the export of 550,000 MT of refined finished products, the decrease to 47% of work-related accidents for the staff, the implementation of computer infrastructure in order to meet security challenges.

He also cited the corporate image of SONARA through the honourable participation of SONARA in national and international events, the putting in place of a medical evacuation policy that is more interesting for the staff and also improvement in punctuality and assiduity at work.

Talking specifically on the year 2015, SONARA boss said focus will be on the concretization of major challenges related to competitiveness, which were embarked on in 2014. He noted the consolidation of the security supply of petroleum products in quality and quantity, regular compliance with the procedure for the purchase of crude oil in line with the provisions of the public contracts code, the operationalization of the new commercial policy to boost and secure sales, setting up of a support policy for retirement, the speeding up of the completion process of the extension and modernisation project of installations phase I and the effective start-up of phase II, so as to increase the profitability of the company.

“For sure, the challenges are many; they are diverse and complex, but they are within your reach. That is why, today more than yesterday, I call on your know-how and your professionalism in order for them to be transformed into an obligation of result and a duty of competence”, Talba Malla emphasised.

The GM further dished out specific tasks to the various departments, for optimum output. Beginning with Administration and Human Resources, he urged them to work for the effective realisation of the project for post weighing and to diligently prepare the generational transition; to General Affairs, he said to work tooth and nail, to finalise the maintenance work on the residential quarters; as he requested Public Relations, Communication and Translation to ensure the implementation of the company’s strategic communication plan.

Talba Malla continued, to request the Operations department, to ensure the proper functioning of the manufacturing units and the smooth technological transition between the old and the new installations; Technical Control to ensure a proper choice of the crude oil to acquire in order to maximise the gross margin of the company and to the Commercial department, he urged them to be more proactive and reactive, in order to secure the supply of petroleum products at the national level.

To the last three departments, the GM instructed that of Finance and Accounting to improve more on deadlines for the recovery of resources and payment of bills to contractors, called on Maintenance for greater diligence, efficiency and effectiveness in treating tender files relating to maintenance, and rounded up, by recommending the department of Quality, Hygiene, Safety, Environment and Inspection to ensure the effective implementation of the Loss control policy.

“If everyone plays their part, and only their part, without any distractions, while bearing in mind the interest of SONARA and the general interest, I remain highly convinced that with the support of the board of directors and government, our objectives will be attained, to the satisfaction of all” Talba Malla said.

In a welcome address earlier, the director of administration and human resources, on behalf of the staff, pledged their unanimous support to the GM’s vision to transform the refinery.

After giving a balance sheet of some notable achievements and innovations recorded within the various nine departments of the company, Bouba Mohamadou said it is thanks to Talba Malla’s professional know-how that they were able to sail through 2014 without any interruption.

Handshakes, smiles, bouquets of flower, gifts, photograph and a cocktail closed the brief ceremony.