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 of 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 of 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 of 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 of 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 :- Increased cost savings 1. Improved Security 2. Improved environmental compliance and performance 3. Improved internal communication 4. Improved community relations and public image. 5. 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 operations. 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 organization and reduce costs. Effective EMS implementation can improve on 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