From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
At the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Employers’ Federation (CANMPEF) in Lagos recently, the Managing Director of Mouka Limited, Femi Fapohunda, detailed the company’s comprehensive approach to creating a workplace that thrives on employee satisfaction and productivity
The company’s redefining of how employee well-being and engagement can drive organisational sustainability centres on the strategic three Ps – People, Planet and Profit in driving a business’s survival and growth model that depends heavily on its human capital.
“At Mouka, our people come first. We approach employee wellbeing holistically by prioritising their welfare and safety. This has resulted in the implementation of various innovative initiatives, such as Project Rainbow, which fosters camaraderie and synergy company-wide,” Fapohunda said.
The scope of activities for this initiative includes team bonding, cross-functional competitions, awards, recognitions and many others targeted at engaging and exciting the workforce.
“Employee welfare is high on our agenda,” he explained. “We looked at the big-ticket items consuming our people’s wages and identified transportation, which is at an all-time high due to the hike in fuel prices. First, we rolled out a staff bus service that covers all the major routes where our people live across our three plant locations nationwide.
“We also introduced a fuel subsidy allowance to alleviate the financial burden on the Mouka people. In recognising the importance of adaptability in a challenging economy, the company also adopted hybrid work models for support staff, providing flexibility and helping employees achieve a better work-life balance while saving transportation costs.”
The company still prioritises sustainability while reducing operational costs to improve business efficiency. Fapohunda said the company has commenced transitioning its fleet from Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
However, “aside transportation, another burden for our people is food. To address this, we increased the meal subsidies provided by the company, while also providing bags of rice quarterly for all staff, irrespective of cadre.”
Alongside these, Fapohunda emphasised that ensuring employee safety is non-negotiable, particularly in the manufacturing sector where workplace injuries can have severe repercussions. He disclosed that Mouka’s robust health and safety policies reduce injury-related costs and improve employee morale.
“Maintaining a strong focus on health and safety, even during economic downturns, ensures a reliable workforce and minimises operational downtime.” Similarly, “to maintain industrial harmony, Mouka engages in quarterly proactive sessions with union and staff representatives.
“These discussions help to address potential conflicts, foster loyalty and cultivate a sense of belonging. Additionally, the company provides industrial relations training for union leaders, ensuring productive and informed dialogue.”
With capacity building a key ingredient for job satisfaction, the company said it established the Mouka Academy – an internal training faculty – designed to address organisational, behavioural and functional training needs.
Employees also benefit from executive training at the Lagos Business School and a management learning system that promotes continuous learning.
“By investing in re-skilling and up-skilling, we enable our workforce to handle multiple roles, creating flexibility and resilience within our team,” he explained.
Transparency is a cornerstone of Mouka’s human resource strategy, which promotes job satisfaction. Regular communication about company decisions, financial status, and future plans helps build trust and mitigate employee anxiety.
Somewhat indispensable, Fapohunda highlighted the importance of mental health support, saying the company offers counselling services and other mental health resources to ensure employees feel emotionally and physically supported.
The company also compensates staff during economic hardships, and rather than drastic lay-offs, Mouka focuses on adjusting benefits strategically, ensuring employees feel valued and supported even in tough times.
