Navigating the Storms – From Rain to Realignment | Diary Entry - 4th June 2025
The heavy rain in the wee hours last night was relentless. Despite trying to drown it out with ear-plugs, sleep remained elusive. The constant pattering and occasional gusts outside kept my mind restless. Starting the day on such a note is always challenging, especially when the clock waits for no one.
By the time I reached the morning meeting, I was just about on time - barely. It’s true what they say: when you’re late once, the day seems determined to throw more hurdles your way. A confused bike rider at the main gate was signaling indecisively, unsure whether to turn or proceed straight, holding up traffic behind him. Adding to the chaos, a large truck was reversing down the narrow road, completely blocking passage. This small but frustrating gridlock set the tone for a day full of little challenges to navigate.
After settling down with the usual prayer, some team members raised operational points that deserved immediate attention. I took this opportunity in the HOD meeting to propose a more structured follow-up system: a dedicated register where all issues raised could be documented promptly and tracked until resolved. This step is essential for accountability and ensuring no concern falls through the cracks.
One of the critical problems that came up was the silo pressurisation issue affecting the raw mills’ performance. I directed the Mechanical team to prioritize this matter - any downtime in raw milling can ripple across the entire production schedule, causing significant losses.
Later in the day, I compiled all the tasks reported so far into the Daily Production Report (DPR). Upon my review, the Operation team added updates on jobs still pending, which will now be formally entered into the Job Planning Register (JPR) for systematic execution. This discipline in record-keeping and follow-up is crucial for keeping the plant running smoothly.
The usual Daily Production Meeting (DPM) was cancelled today as many team members were engaged in critical activities elsewhere - a sign that sometimes operational exigencies take precedence over routine formalities.
In a new development, a retired Colonel from the Togo Army visited us to conduct a security audit of the plant. His approach was quite holistic; he referred to his inspection as ‘reiki,’ implying an energy assessment of the premises beyond just physical security checks. Later, he briefed us on initial findings and promised a detailed report soon. Such external reviews often bring fresh perspectives, and I’m optimistic his recommendations will help strengthen our security framework.
Meanwhile, I suggested obtaining a contractor’s quotation for cleaning and PCC (plain cement concrete) flooring at the bottom area of the preheater feeding belt bucket elevator. This area has long been a maintenance challenge, and getting it professionally cleaned and properly floored should improve operational safety and equipment longevity.
On a positive note, two geologists arrived to study the clay material in our mines and surrounding areas. Their analysis is a vital step toward assessing the feasibility of our Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) project. If viable, this initiative could mark a significant milestone in our journey toward sustainable cement production, aligning with global trends of reducing carbon footprints.
Key Points of the Day:
-
Heavy rain disrupted sleep but didn’t dampen the day’s momentum.
-
Morning meeting started late due to traffic confusion and truck blockage.
-
Introduced a register system in the HOD meeting for tracking action points.
-
Urgent mechanical issue with silo pressurisation impacting raw mills flagged for immediate attention.
-
DPR compiled and reviewed; pending jobs updated and entered into JPR for follow-up.
-
Daily Production Meeting cancelled due to critical ongoing activities.
-
Security review by retired Togo Army Colonel conducted; awaiting detailed report.
-
Proposed contractor quotation for cleaning and PCC flooring at preheater belt bucket elevator area.
-
Arrival of geologists for clay material study supporting potential LC3 project feasibility.
Comments
Post a Comment