Monrovia – Five communities around the Liberia Cement Corporation generally referred to as CEMENCO through their respective representatives have benefited from the much-publicized CEMENCO Block Maker Academy Program, following a day-long exhaustive block production training in Monrovia on Thursday, June 28, 2018.
The five communities that benefited from the CEMENCO Block Maker Academy Program include Bassa Town, Sawmill Community, Jamaica Road Community, Ballema Community and the Doe Community.
Each of the beneficiaries (all males) was awarded Certificate of Achievement, after the successful completion of the training.
Giving an overview of the CEMENCO Block Maker Academy Program during the training program, CEMENCO’s Logistics and Shipping Manager, Mr. Robert O. Marshall, explained that the training is intended to enhance quality block making.
Marshall intoned: “Having realized that majority of those who use our cement are the block makers, we decided to open the CEMENCO Block Maker Academy Program to help you improve in the production of block making. ”
Marshall then encouraged the block makers and the entire Liberian populace to always use CEMENCO made cement, because it is of high quality.
“In addition of our high quality, we are Liberian owned and so our contribution to the nation’s economy is by far greater than any cement company,” he bragged.
“Furthermore, unlike other cement importers, we have never gone out of stock because our products are made right here,” he mentioned.
“Whatever materials you are working with, will go to you. Each of you will also receive 10 bags of cement, including transportation reimbursement,” he stated.
But this is not intended for you to sell the materials, but for your own empowerment. We will do follow up to ensure you are on track with the program,” the CEMENCO’s Logistics and Shipping Manager told the participants.
He also stressed the importance of safety and urged the participants to work always work as a team.
“This is why we at CEMENCO prioritize safety. It is not only at our compound, but also outside. We ensure our employees are well-equipped, uninformed and the environment in which they work are secured and protected at all times. If you do not work in a safe and protected environment, you could be injured while you are working and at the end, you will be a liability instead of asset not only to your families but also to your communities., “ Marshall accentuated.
Earlier, Marshall disclosed that the move by the CEMENCO’s Management to identify with the five nearby communities followed a new partnership the company has forged with the leadership of these communities in working for the enhancement of CEMENCO, these communities and the country at large.
“ As part of the new partnership, CEMENCO intends to employ competent young people of these communities in her upcoming projects. All of these are part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and also to give back to the Liberian people. Our next CEMENCO Block Maker Academy Program will be held in Gbarnga City, Bong County early next month,” He, among other things, added.
Also speaking, Atty. Christine Nimely, the Strategic Development Project Manager at CEMENCO, buttressed the points stressed by Marshall regarding safety. She also urged the participants to take safety very seriously in their operations.
“If you carry out your work, remember safety. We are empowering you to engender the Pro-Poor Agenda as proffered by our President George Manneh Weah. We will watch you to ensure that the initiative achieves its desired objectives, “ she pointed out.
The Acting Managing Director of CEMENCO, Mr. Emmanuel Asante, who also spoke at the training program, admonished the participants to use the acquired skills and knowledge wisely for the enhancement of themselves, their communities and the country at large.
Like Marshall and Christine, Asante, who is the Chief Financial Officer(CFO) at CEMENCO, also advised the participants to take safety very seriously in their work, saying it is key in the operations of block making.
Making a presentation on Cement production and quality, CEMENCO’s Production Manager, Mr. Wesley Tarnue, also emphasized that the training is the company’s own way of helping block makers to make quality bricks for the people of Liberia.
Tarnue drilled the participants through the standards involved in making lasting bricks for their customers, stressing that though the process is a tedious one, they-participants are capable of doing it if they are willing.
He explained to the trainees the types of cement that CEMENCO is producing, bragging that the highest quality of cement is produced at the Liberia-owned company-CEMENCO.
But the CEMENCO’s Production Manager was quick to point out that, “because many people miss out on the exact measurement to use in order to make more profit, the end product is most at times not guaranteed”.
“I want to use this time to admonish you to always use the rightful measurement following this training. When you are making your block, it should not only be meant for profit making, but quality must always be your hallmark,” the CEMENCO’s Production Manager asserted.
He reminded the participants that they were being trained in order to train others, and by doing so, the initiative would be enhanced and people-driven.
Meanwhile, the participants, in a happy mood, lauded the company for contributing to the human resource development of ordinary Liberians.
They vowed to make maximum use of the skills and knowledge acquired wisely for the betterment of their themselves, communities and the country in general.
They also promised to use the equipment given them by CEMENCO for the intended purpose.