SONARA’s gets Anti Corruption Committee

SONARA’s gets Anti Corruption Committee

“I, the undersigned member of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Unit of SONARA, undertake to fulfill my duty in the strict respect of norms, procedures and the SONARA code of conduct, and to foster the values set forth.

 I hereby undertake to put on, a behaviour that is morally and professionally acceptable, at all times;

I also undertake not to commit any act detrimental to my company, which I shall always serve with loyalty.

I therefore solemnly pledge my honour and responsibility before my colleagues and my employer.”                                                                                 

Ibrahim Talba Malla, SONARA GM

These were the exact words of each of the members of the Anti Corruption Committee of the national Oil Refining Company, SONARA during their installation

They were installed into their functions last Tuesday March 11, 2014 at the SONARA Club in a ceremony which was presided over by the Inspector General number one at the ministry of Mines and water in the presence of the General Manager of SONARA, Ibrahim Talba Malla and senior officials of CONAC.

Speaking during the Ceremony, the General Manager of SONARA said the ceremony marks a very important step in the company’s engagement in fighting against corruption and promote ethics in SONARA.

“In effect, this huge project started several years ago. Let me highlight some good governance actions that have this far been undertaken-ISRS Employee Opinion Surveys were carried out since 2007, to identify ways to improve working conditions, several Customer surveys were carried out since 2007, to determine their degree of satisfaction and anticipate on their expectations and that in 2009, a staff team also conducted a SONARA Employee survey on ethics.” Talba Malla said

He continued to say that the survey brought to light a number of behaviours which could jeopardize the sustainability of SONARA. Based on this survey and a series of actions were embarked on, in order to tackle the shortcomings and behaviours observed.

According to the General Manager, In structural terms, an Anti-Corruption Unit was created on 24 July 2012 by circular, GM n°664/2012, to ensure the implementation of the Anti- Corruption Sectorial Strategy, as defined in the National Anti-corruption Strategy, support the implementation of Rapid Results Initiatives (IRR) MINEE in accordance with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, speed up the implementation of internal Anti-Corruption Strategy, draw up an Anti-Corruption Action plan within SONARA and receive and treat complaints or grievances on corruption, emanating from users and other stake holders.

To show proof of serious work, the General Manager noted that at the institutional level, on 8 November 2012 in  Yaounde, SONARA  reached an Integrity Pact with MINEE, aimed at “putting in place mechanisms for the control and eradication of the phenomenon of forgery or the affixing of seals on trucks at the exit from SONARA’’. 

Talba Malla told the Minister’s representative that SONARA has always demonstrated its willingness to fight against corruption and that some actions have been taken but also noted that the path to be covered is a long one. “Nevertheless, I am highly confident that we shall make it, with the contribution of every one of us in the company, including our partners.

Consequently, I call on the entire staff to adhere to the principles of ethics and to commit to the fight against corruption.”

On his part, the representative of the Minister of Mines and Water said the installation is phase 1 as the ministry looks forward to provide the means for the commission to effectively carry out its functions so that in 100 days there will be some results to show prove of their work.

Madam Evelyn Martins, head of the committee thanked the General Manager for confidence in bestowing such a challenge on her and her team.

She was optimistic that the team will be able to accomplish the task.

The ceremony was punctuated by a talk on the National Anti Corruption Committee, CONAC which highlighted the corruption index in the oil sector as alarming; hence Madam Evelyn Martins and her team have a difficult task ahead of them.