CEMENCO Block Production Training Gaining Momentum

Several block makers   in the densely populated City of  Ganta,  Nimba  County were  on  Saturday, June  9, 2018   certificated,  after  a day-long   thorough    block  production  training.

The Participants  Pose For A Group Photo  Following The Block Production Training

The latest block production training is the second edition outside Monrovia by the Liberia Cement Corporation (CEMENCO) Block Maker Academy Program.

The previous edition outside Monrovia was held in the Port   City of Buchanan, Grand Bsaasa where  several  block makers  benefited  from  the program.

The CEMENCO Block Maker Academy Program is an initiative embarked upon by the Liberian owned cement company aimed at teaching block makers in the country how to make quality blocks by knowing the quantity of materials to produce a block.

According to the company’s management, the block making training is being carried out once a month in all the counties and subsequently it would be carried out two and three times a month in the various parts of the country.

Giving  the Safety  Orientation at the  Ganta City Training Program, Mr. Nathaniel Pritchard, the Safety, Health and Environment  Manager  at CEMENCO,  began by thanking  the authorities  of Ganta City for the  warm reception  accorded the  CEMENCO Team, describing the people of the city  as “wonderful”.

Pritchard informed the participants: “We at CEMENCO take safety very seriously. It is a cardinal issue. As you can see before you start   your work, we provided you your Personal Protective Equipment-PPEs,  which include: shovels, boots, gloves,  helmets, noise protectors, wheel barrows, shovels, among others.”

The  CEMENCO official, who  dispelled  perception by some people that cement is dangerous and that  it can cause cancer,  identified safety,  health,  environment  and quality as CEMENCO’s targeted policies, something he recalled, the company has been doing since  50  years.

Contrary  to  the  perception,  he clarified  that  such  perception is far from  the truth  and urged those  harboring  such perception  to disabuse their minds  of  it.

“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, uniformed    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 liabilities  instead of assets  not  only to your families, but also  to  your communities., “  the  CEMENCO’s   Safety, Health and Environment  Manager  accentuated.

He then  urged the participants to always  adhere  to  safety  measures, saying they are  cardinal  for  the  enhancement  of their  safety and  block production, stressing: “ Safety First, Safety Last.”

CEMENCO’s Logistics and Shipping Manager, Mr. Robert O. Marshall,  who  gave the overview  of the  CEMENCO Block Maker  Academy  Program, emphasized 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.

But this is not intended for you to sell the materials, but for your own empowerment. We will do  follow up  to ensure that  you are on track with the program,” the CEMENCO’s   Logistics and Shipping Manager  told the participants.

He  disclosed  that  the blocks produced by the them-participants will  be given to the   office   of the  City Mayor  for any project  the office  intends  to undertake.

In  addition to  the produced blocks, the  company donated 50 bags of cement towards  said endeavor- all part  of its corporate  responsibility to the people of Nimba County.

For his part, CEMENCO’s Production Manager, Mr. Wesley Tarnue,  started  his presentation  by  recognizing  one Nanlay Barlea,  the first  female  to  participant in the  CEMENCO  Block Maker  Academy  Program since  the program kicked off, terming   her enrollment  in the program,  as  “historic”.

Tarnue expressed the hope of more  female  participation in a bid to  reflect gender balance.

Like  Marshall,  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, stating  that though the process is a tedious one,  they-participants  are capable of doing it if they are willing.

He explained to the participants  the types of cement that CEMENCO is producing, boasting that the highest quality of cement is being produced at the Liberia-owned company-CEMENCO.

However, the CEMENCO’s Production Manager  indicated 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.

Before   the start of the training, the  City Mayor of Ganta City, Mr.  Amos N.G. Suah, wholeheartedly welcomed   the CEMENCO Team to  the city, saying  “ You are highly welcomed  to Ganta City, feel at home  and   I  wish  you  a successful  program, which I consider  timely  and prudent.”

While  affirming   his administration  overwhelming  support  to  the CEMENCO  Block Maker Academy Program in Ganta City, yea Nimba  County, Mayor  Suah  said  the  initiative  by the Liberian owned cement  company would not have  come no better time than now  when there is a dire  need   for the empowerment of youth  in the bustling city.

He  assured  CEMENCO that  his leadership will leave no stone unturned in ensuring  that  this  human  empowerment  program is sustained  not only Ganta, but the entire county.

Against this backdrop,  the Ganta Mayor challenged the beneficiaries to utilize the skills and knowledge acquired from the training   for the betterment of themselves, their communities, the county and the country at large.

While terming the block production training as  magnificent, the local government official  further  challenged    the  beneficiaries  to  also make maximum   use  of the  equipment  given  them  by CEMENCO  for their  own empowerment.

Meanwhile, the participants in a joyous mood, lauded the management of CEMENCO for contributing to the human resource development of the ordinary Liberians.

They assured the company that the skills and knowledge gained will be used wisely and that they will also use   the equipment given them for the intended purpose.

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