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SAWLOG PRODUCTION GRANT SCHEME - MAY - JULY 2009. ISSUE NO. 24
STANDING IN A VALLEY ONE HOT,
SUNNY AFTERNOON
by Ikwap Joseph
In mid-Feb 2009, I got a call from one Odeke Charles of
SPGS who invited me for the contractor training and
labored to explain to me the importance it had for me.
I was a bit disinterested because I had a lot going on in
my mind; my workers had spent a lot of time slashing
a small piece of work and it was getting counter productive.
I did not know what to do next!
To add to my disinterest was the cost of training he had
attached to it! And deep inside of me I knew I would not
attend the training, however Odeke could not give me
peace he kept calling to confirm my participation. Little did
I know that this call was golden and would swiftly change
my business for the better! I will forever be grateful to SPGS
for this initiative. Interacting with the facilitators and fellow
contractors was an eye-opener on how to effectively manage
labour to make them productive - a thing I have been very
green in!
The training exposed a lot of weaknesses in our business
management and yet offered remedies to them. So unique
an experience it was. The biggest ulcer to me was poor
labour record keeping and thankfully now I know the value
of record keeping. If anybody asks me now how many kinds
of records I keep, I will endlessly list them for them.
My other challenge came in management of workers especially
conflict resolution between them and the community and
between themselves. They say ignorance of the law is no
defense and yet Ignorant would be my only defense if I
was to stand in the court dock if I was challenged in court
about any issues arising from my labor. The policy and legal
framework governing labor in Uganda was an important
aspect of this training course because I can now confidently
stand in the court dock and quote the labor laws. Thank God
I will not reach the court dock because I know the workers’
rights and they are to be respected.
Am already benefiting from the training on how to reduce
labor turn over because am now systematically applying
what I learnt knowing that guaranteeing of safety at work
is one crucial aspect of labour management if it is to
remain productive. The sky will surely be the limit for me
and ALL ROUND FORESTERS. What better way to answer
the questions that were lingering in my mind on that hot
sunny afternoon when Odeke called me than to attend this
training? None. Before the training I stood in a green valley
of ignorance now I stand on top of a hill deeply forested with
Ideas for successful business in contracting. Yet this is just
the start, I remain eagerly waiting to attend the remaining
course modules. Viva SPGS!
jikwap@forest.mak.ac.ug/quapzo@yahoo.com
Mob: 0754 425 383
The writer is the MD of ALL ROUND FORESTERS a
contracting company with New Forest Company, Namwasa,
Uganda. Offering services like consultancy, planting, all kinds
of weeding, thinning and pruning.
Editor’s note: Thanks for this interesting contribution, Joseph:
you have won yourself an SPGS T-shirt! Please hurry to claim
it while stocks last.
Participants at the 1st
SPGS Contractors’ training
course
(March 2009)
NEWS OF UGANDA’S COMMERCIAL TREE PLANTING FUND FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR
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