As Diesel Deal Backfires… Vimetco Fires Five
Diesel theft has been one of the major diseases plaguing several companies in Sierra Leone and they have been losing hundreds of gallons of diesel to thieves who have made the criminal practice an occupation.
However, the Vimetco Bauxite Mining Company at Sierra Rutile has declared a zero tolerance on diesel theft and has set a bright example by instantly dismissing five workers who were recently televised red handed stealing the company’s diesel.
This information was relayed to this medium by the Deputy General Manager Johan Debruin during a recent interview in his office at the Gondama plant site. The Manger, Johan Debruin stressed that Vimetco management has now become more vigilant in putting an end to the reckless trend of diesel theft. “We are no longer prepared to tolerate the criminal act from any worker,” he stated, adding that some of the sacked workers have been handed over to the police for further investigation.
Mr. Debruin who is a Romanian citizen noted that they as Romanians share a cordial relation with many law abiding workers but that they do not encourage criminal workers, and as a result of this stance many have been referring to them as racist, spiteful and disrespectful to blacks. “We are not racial as we have several black workers as intimate friends and they can attest that we have been very nice with them, those black workers who accuse us are the bad ones we don’t encourage,” Debruin emphasized.
The Deputy Manager dismissed as false the recent media reports that jobs and facilities in the company are given on racial or nepotic basis. “We allocate vehicles and other facilities according to need, not colour or hierarchy and we offer jobs to those who deserve them due to their competence”, he clarified.
Mr. Debruin noted that although the company is suffering from substantial loss, they have been contributing meaningfully to community Development projects and other forms of corporate social responsibility, adding they have been trying tooth and nail to satisfy the workers. “Like any other company, Vimetco is bound to encounter problems but such problems should not be blamed squarely on the Romanians who are not the only people in the management, besides, the problems should not be exaggerated to overshadow our good works in the community,” the Deputy Manager remarked.
The Finance Manager Abdul Bangura also dismissed recent media reports that he resigned from the company because he was forced to board an uncomfortable Toyota Dyna lorry from Freetown to Sierra Rutile. “I am going for further study that is why I resigned,” Mr. Bangura said.
By Joseph Milton Lebbie
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2012, https:. All rights reserved.
