ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS) That integrates Community - - PDF document

From: Robert Koroma <rbkoroma@yahoo.com> Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS) That integrates Community Social Responsibility —SLPA Date: October 19, 2017 at 13:36:30 GMT Cc: secretariat@agpaoc-pmawca.org To: pmawca agpaoc@yahoo.com

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS) That integrates Community Social Responsibility —SLPA

Introduction The Marine environment is regarded as the ‘theatre of the nation’s wealth’ due to its rich resources and its economic and effective means of transportation of goods globally. Hence the global increase in sea transportation. However, there has been increased scrutiny of the maritime industry due to the environmental impacts associated with sea transportation such as dumping,operation challenges,dredging,spillages, effects on marine habitat, transportation of foreign species into the marine environment. The global increase in trade has ignited increase in the number and movement

• f vessels since the 1990s , not exempting the Abidjan Convention Areas along

the Atlantic coast of Africa including Sierra Leone. Ship movement within the Abidjan Areas alone is estimated at over 20,000, for period 1990 — 2000 ( Harding, A. G. Palsson, G. Raballand 2007). The average annual Ship calls into the ports of Freetown within the same period was 320. This number fluctuates between 484 and 550 (2010 - 2016 SLPA Statistics report). The Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA) was established by the Port’s Act No. 56 of 1964 to provide, operate, maintain, improve and regulate the use of ports for all marine activities and providing services to local and international agents and vessels. The Freetown port or Queen Elizabeth 11 Quay that is the main port is situated at Cline town in the East end of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. It is owned by the government of Sierra Leone and managed by Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA) as landlord port. She has four container berths managed by Freetown Terminal Limited (FTL) and two break bulk berths leased and managed by Nectar Sierra Leone Breakbulk Terminal (NSBT). There is also ongoing construction process for berth extension project in the number of berths within the next three years. There is

the ports at Pepel, Nitti and Tofeym owned and managed by private mining companies. Ports however in their quest to meet the growing demand for trade and security, face numerous challenges such as environmental compliance requirements, community confidence and traffic congestion. As a key component of the nation’s marine transportation industry, ports have the responsibility to balance their economic growth with sustainable practices, therefore the need for an EMS. Background An EMS is management tool that helps institutions integrate environmental considerations into every day operations or a way to plan for continuos improvement in environmental performance. Ports in Europe and America have realised benefits from implementing EMS in the form of increased cost savings, improved community relations, improved internal communications,improved security and improved environmental compliance and performance. Thus the need for third world country ports to emulate this system in our ports to meet our specific targets in our Environmental Management drive. SLPA as landlord to all port operators in Sierra Leone, has dedicated Security,Environment,Health and Safety department that ensures the Port’s continued compliance with environmental legislations and requirements by monitoring the implementation of Environmental Management System (EMS). The emphasis has been on air quality, waste management, dredging, contaminated soil, energy consumption, congestion,noise reduction, anti-fouling paints and water quality. As landlord, SLPA coordinates and harmonise all environmental management systems with the port operators and users. Methodology This document was generated with the collaboration of the concession operators

• f Freetown Terminal, NSBT, Dangote Cements, Leocem Cement, Holland

Shipyards and the terminals ( Petrol jetty, Pepel, Government Wharf, Kissy and Tagrin). This is to ensure inclusiveness/interdependence and information flows in the environmental management systems within and between the port operators for best practices.

Port Governance The issue of governance, ownership and control is crucial to the discussion of environmental management as there are facilities and activities that the port do not control but only influence.The port of Freetown is owned by the government

• f Sierra Leone and operated by private companies, whereas the ports of Nitti,

Pepel and Tofeym are owned, operated and managed by private mining

• companies. Even though the Port’s Act of 1964 stipulates the authority of SLPA
• f the supervision of all ports and terminals in the country, this mandate has not

been effective in the private terminals. The Environmental Management System (EMS) at Freetown Port and its Integrated Community Social Responsibility The EMS of the port of Freetown can be broadly explained under the following broad captions :-

1.

Increased cost savings

2.

Improved Security

3.

Improved environmental compliance and performance

4.

Improved internal communication

5.

Improved community relations and public image. Identify opportunities to reduce costs Ports that implement EMS benefits in increased operational efficiencies, reduced waste and associated disposal, reduced energy and water use and reduced insurance premiums ( Billy Wyatt, Executive Director Port of Portland). SLPA in its environmental management exercise adopt regular sensitization of workers on energy and water cost savings by switching off all electrical appliances and water taps after work and has had reduction on the monthly electricity and water bills by 20%reduction. Moreover by the outsourcing to private of the disposal of solid wastes in the port and from vessels by management has not only led to reduction in the monthly bills for waste management and generation of more income, but also in the quality of performance and cleanliness of the port. Improved Security

Preventing security vulnerability is a priority for a sustainable port

• perations. SLPA as landlord port has a security force that coordinates and

partners with the national and other private security agencies contracted by the port operators. This system has improved not only in the security services, but has reduced crime rate and theft and also reduced the number of illicit entrants into the port. The security aparatus is also engaged in the control of traffic within the port and also ensures that containers leaving the port are properly lashed. Security is integrated into all activities in the port as they are represented management meetings and all other stakeholder meetings. There is also partnership of the SLPA port security with the community youths that meets ,discuss and strategise security activities within the port on monthly basis. Improved environmental compliance and performance Stringent laws and regulations could improve on the performance of an

• rganization and reduce costs. Effective EMS implementation can improve
• n the performance of priority areas such as reducing air emission, noise,

improving water quality. In line with this, a working document was formed in 2016 by SLPA the port operators and all stake holders of the port coordinated by theSecurity, Safety and Environmental department of SLPA. The objective of this body is to harmonise all security, safety and environmental issues in the port for best practices. This document has an addendum that specifies fines by defaulters especially in the drive on decongestion, crimes, alcohol and drug use. The implementation of this system has had significant reduction of accidents within the port and created more awareness amongst workers, vehicle drivers and operators. As partners with EPA - SL, the department of Safety and Environment is invited to all meetings, disclosures, workshops and seminars on all environmental issues within the Freetown community organised by

• EPA. Moreover, the recommendations and sensitization of management and

staff of SLPA and the NCP about the mandatory provision(IMO) for a Reception Facility has been realised as Zeal /Cemmats consortium have been contracted for this purpose. It is hoped that this project will be complete by 2019.

Improved internal communication Communication within and between operators and other stakeholders of the port improves the port’s operational efficiencies. The formation of a task

force that comprises FTL, NSBT, Dangote group and other stake holders such as transport owners and vehicle drivers has had significant impact in addressing security, environmental and congestion challenges at the port

• lately. The harmonised working relationship has increased commitment and

improved knowledge sharing and awareness amongst operators and workers and this has enabled SLPA to be timely informed of and address environmental challenges appropriately. Improved community relations and public image The inclusion of the stake holder community in a port’s environmental management efforts serves greatly to achieve its objectives. The engagement of the SLPA community of port operators and service providers and the neighbourhood in the environmental management programs has improved in the awareness, credibility and trust of the port. This has led to the community undertaking voluntary cleaning exercises. Concerns are deliberated and addressed during monthly meetings by stake holders and this cooperation has contributed to smooth operations, reduction of crime rates and thefts within the port and also improved in the cleanliness of the port premises.

Legal Requirements This is one of the pillars on which environmental policy is based. The potential costs of non - compliance on violation of international conventions and policies like Solas, Marpol and domestic policies could lead to revenue loss. This is one of the reason for the formation of SLPA Task Force that includes all stake holders including community settlers as authors of the harmonised environmental management manual as part of SLPA management efforts. This specifies national and international fines that is applicable to violators and hence the initiative has helped immensely in the Landlord/tenant relationships, as workers are aware of the legal implication of their actions. Implementation Challenges and recommendations The path to achieve a sustainable environmental management for a third world country is not smooth.

• The resources — human and capital for effective implementation, monitoring and

control of waste management, pollution and spillages are challenges. Due to the inadequate number of staff and quality, the presence of SLPA personnel for monitoring

• f the terminals— Nitti, Peppel, Tofeyim and the Kissy oil jetty is yet to be achieved.
• There is need for investment to acquire the basic equipment for air and water quality,

• il spill and sewage management.
• The interrupted energy and water supply is another challenge the SLPA needs to

address urgently. Even though efforts have been made by the management of SLPA by providing solar lights along the entrance and exit gates of the port, this is however inadequate as there are other priority areas that needs light at night for security reasons.

• The issue of traffic congestion is an issue that has not been adequately addressed.

As one of the areas identified in the 2016 ISPS report, the increase in traffic due to increase in the trucks accessing the port on daily business needs urgent attention as the port has limited parking space. Container trucks are restricted on leaving the port on timely basis by the police to avoid congestion in the city. SLPA needs to endeavour to meet with the relevant authorities to address the time frame for container trucks leaving the port whilst finding another area outside the port as container depot.

PORT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA (PMAWCA)

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS) THAT INTEGRATES COMMUNITY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THE SIERRA LEONE PORTS AUTHORITY EXPERIENCE BY ROBERT B. KOROMA HEAD: SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT Sierra Leone Ports Authority PAPER PRESENTED AT THE MEETING OF 3 TECHNICAL COMMITTEES IN FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE 23 - 27 October 2017