Gabon Flash - Olam Gabon's newsletter by Olam Gabon Coms

GabonFlash Newsletter Olam

SUMMARY quarter in GABON FLASH

Corporate News

P18

SEZ represented At the new york forum africa 2013

Awala receives The minister for agriculture

Oil and gas award (GFC)

Legal practitioners At the Special Economic Zone

Africa is committed to palm oil

The national recruitment 2013

The international agriculture fair 2013

P7 P7

SPECIAL

News from the field Plantations

P12

Timber

P 13

Special economic zone

P17 Across Businesses P18 Marathon Special P22 Our partners in action Our Internal Network

P24 Committing to Gabon

• Head of Publication : Roselyne Chambrier

P26 We are OLAM

• Editor : Lauriane Guillemin • Editorial Committee : - Olam Palm Gabon in Kango: Joseph Gnanie (HR Manager)

P29 OLAM’s Resources

and Gysleine Milebe (Head of Corporate Social Responsibility) - Olam Palm Gabon in Mouila: Gilles Mouckani (HR Assistant) and Frédéric Ella (High Conservation Value (HCV) Manager)

P31 Photos and Games

- Olam Rubber Gabon in Bitam: Tiburce Bobedzang (Deputy Head of Nurseries) and Parfait Edou (IT Agent) - Gabon Fertiliser Company (GFC) in Port Gentil: Anand Sundar (Engineer) - Timber in Makokou: Gael Weyat (QSHE Manager) - Gabon Special Economic Zone (GSEZ) in Nkok: Mohit Agrawal (Architect) Other contributors to this magazine include: the social teams, the Department of Environment and Sustainable Development, QSHE and the Human Resources teams at all sites.

key figures

December 2013

2,019

hectares of rubber planted

10,000

hectares of palm Oil planted

GABON FLASH - Quarterly Newsletter Olam Gabon  Electronic version available on www.insuu.com

5,054,490 plants bag to Mouila

3.5

million cubic meters enhancement ground to accommodate plant GFC

high voltage towers connecting Alenakiri power station and the SEZ of Nkok

100

hectares of palm per day in Mouila

6,885

condoms distributed for free during AIDS day

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Editorial

Dear colleagues and partners,

he first Marathon of Gabon, for which Olam was the official sponsor, took place at the beginning of the month and I would like to use the symbolism of this sport to start this editorial, because the marathon is Olam’s spirit. After twelve years of presence in Gabon, Olam International signed a partnership agreement with the Republic of Gabon The latter, that translate our long-term commitment to Gabon,

Gagan Gupta, Country Manager (yellow) with some team members Olam Marathon Gabon.

epitomizes the marathon values we believe in at Olam. First of all I am talking about endurance, patience and a lot of efforts like those required for the structuring projects that we are developing: 50,000 hectares of palm plantations, 28,000 hectares of rubber plantations, the development of a 1,126 hectare special economic zone and the building of a urea-ammonia fertilizer plant with a production capacity of 1.3 mtpa. I then think about the team and federative spirit that comes alongside with the involvement of all like in a marathon. At Olam, we believe that the key to success comes from the critical collaboration of the various stakeholders. Then, by combining those two elements we can draw a positive balance for year 2013 that is coming to its end. Nkok Special Economic Zone saw the settling of 14 companies out of the 80 confirmed industrial clients that already believe in this project. 15 kilometers of roads have been achieved and the water and electricity supply networks have been tested and are now ready to be operated. When it comes to plantations the facts are ever more telling. In the palm plantations of Awala (Kango) and Mouila where 3,135 staff work, we have so far planted 10,000 hectares of palm trees and our Mouila teams are achieving new technical prowess every week with productivity peaks of up to 100 planted hectares per day ! The results are also very encouraging in Bitam where 2,019 hectares of rubber trees have been planted and where we now have around 652 staff. In view of these elements, we have recently restructured the organization of our plantations and have entered a dynamic of decentralization. We are now heading towards autonomous sites, real economic poles. After 16 years of timber operations in Gabon, Olam has entered into an agreement to sell its timber business unit in Makokou. Olam’s decision to exit the timber business was based on ensuring the best strategic and economic outcome for the company and focus on the 4 public private partnerships. Timber unit existing employees were redeployed and relocated in higher growth business areas when possible and the departing team members were offered golden departing packages. Last but not least, regarding our urea-ammonia fertilizer plant project, all the economic and social impact assessment phases have been approved. The backfill and land preparation have been completed with the use of 3.5 million cubic meters of sand to raise the soil level. The site location is now ready and that should not be too long before we begin building our plant. If the development of industrial and subsistence agriculture plays a critical role in the economic development in general and in the eradication of both poverty and food insecurity in particular, we are encouraging initiatives for rural development, especially infrastructure, the training of young and active populations, the improvement of health and education services while preserving natural environment capacities in a sustainable way. We are also committed to increasing safety at our site and ensure that we reach the “zero fatal accident” target. Prevention is achieved through information, education and communication. Olam’s 4,000 staff in Gabon work hand in hand to contribute to the agricultural and industrial development of the country. Gagan Gupta, Country Head Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Corporate News

SEZ REPRESENTED

AT THE NEW YORK FORUM AFRICA 2013

ith almost 1,500 participants, including 10 Heads of State, the New York Forum Africa raised the profile of one of the flagship projects for the development of Gabon: Nkok Special Economic Zone. The marketing team had the honour of welcoming various distinguished guests to their stand, including the First Lady of the Gabon

AWALA RECEIVES

THE MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE On 30 May 2013, we had the honour of having the Minister for Agriculture, Julien Nkoghé Békalé, visit our site at Kango. Mr. Békalé was interested to see the development of the plantation, how the site complies with environmental standards and how it handles ecological constraints. Accompanied by the Country Director and three journalists from Gabon Télévision and the Union newspaper, the Minister followed Site Director Velan Mahadevan’s presentation with great interest. The Minister shared his impression of this visit: “What I have seen and what you yourselves have observed is impressive. This promises a brighter future. We have spent more than 45 minutes driving around the Awala plantation. It would take more than six hours to visit the entire plantation. It is spectacular”, declared Julien Nkoghé Békalé. “We don’t work on slopes with more than a 20% gradient. So we are pioneers in Africa in this type of earthworks, which protects hill slopes and retains water for the palm trees“.

Mrs Sylvia Bongo Ondimba First Lady of Gabon visiting our booth

Since the company is in the process of obtaining RSPO certification for sustainable palm oil, the palm grove in Awala can only accommodate 140 palm trees per hectare, which compares to the 160 that can be accommodated at the grove in Mouila, where the ground is flatter. We see that of the 20,000 hectares granted by the Gabonese Republic to Olam in Kango, only 35% of this area has been developed, i.e. 7,200 hectares, the remainder being protected as areas of high conservation value. To date, the Awala- Kango plantation employs 825 immediate staff

The Agriculture minister during the visit Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Corporate News OIL AND GAS AWARD (GFC)

Gabon Fertiliser Company was awarded a prize on September 4th by The Oil & Gas Year, the Who’s Who of the Global Energy Industry. Covering the trends and development driving Gabon’s oil and gas industry, with exclusive interviews and insightful analysis from industry leader, the Oil and Gas Year Gabon 2013 is, to date, the most comprehensible business intelligence and investment promotion guide to Gabon’s oil and gas value and supply chain.

This year they have recognized the creation of GFC as an important step for the development of Gabon’s petrochemicals sector. They have shown their confidence in our project through the Downstream Development of the Year Award

LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

AT THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE During the month of September 2013, 7 law firms visited Nkok Special Economic Zone to get a better understanding of all legal aspects in order to respond to all customers and partners enquiries. Amongst visitors we had the pleasure of welcoming:

• Deloitte Tax and Legal office • Ernst and Young • PricewaterhouseCoopers • Tatys Legal Office • Homas Legal Office • Anne Geys Sollictors • Project Lawyers

AFRICA IS COMMITTED TO PALM OIL

The 1st African Palm Oil Congress took place in Abidjan from June 10th to June 13th 2013. Attended by representatives from 26 African producing countries and the Ivory Coast’s Minister for Agriculture, the event focused on: palm oil, challenges and prospective development in Africa and the world. The second international meeting of the year was held in Libreville from October 17th to October 19th 2013. We were there. An overview of the Palm oil industry in Africa, it has attracted 21 international institutions or organizations, concerned by the subject. Guests had the opportunity to attend presentations by Olam, Siat, the WWF, the Ministry of Agriculture in Gabon, NIFOR Sofinco, Caterpillar, IRAD, Solidaridad, Ecobank, Ecosphere, etc

Hermann Kamonomono Olam Gabon’s agro-projects coordinator Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Corporate News Objectives of the Congress:

Congress Participants:

• Create a network of palm oil producing countries; • Address the industry’s main problems and propose solutions; • Recommend and ideally draft a manifesto on the palm oil sector in Africa; • Counter the severe attacks which are increasing around the world; • Promote palm oil cultivation in Africa as a factor in development; • Encourage the consumption of palm oil in Africa to combat food insecurity; • Give sustainable development a priority position in the industry; • Enlist the support of the media to broadcast the information, especially on the international stage (RFI, JA, AFP, Bloomberg, Reuters etc.)

• Palm oil outgrowers • Industrial producers • Processors (agri-businesses) • Distributors • Lenders, banks and investment funds • The scientific community • NGOs focusing on the environment, social issues, nutrition, development, etc. • National and international media

THE NATIONAL RECRUITMENT 2013 The National Recruitment Forum hosted in Libreville from October 17th to the 19th 2013, rallied about a hundred companies. Among them, Olam was represented by the Human Resources team. They received several hundred graduates. About 370 applications were filed during these days. 59% of applicants had less than one year of experience and had just graduated from university or college, with a minimum of 2 years of postgraduate studies

THE INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE FAIR 2013 Officially inaugurated on October 21st by the Prime Minister, Raymond Ndong Sima, the first edition of the International Agricultural Fair has welcomed thousands of visitors for seven days. This event allowed fifty companies in agriculture and livestock fields to promote their products and activities while focusing on making direct contact with visitors or prospects. Olam had its own promotional booth and was a sponsor of the fair. Olam shared information about its rubber and palm plantations and its fertilizer plant project in Port-Gentil. Morocco and Rwanda were the guest countries for this first edition

GLOBAL NEWS : SERA AWARDS

n September 20th 2013, Olam Nigeria won two prestigious awards at SERA 7th Annual Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility. The Nigerian team won the Best Company Award for Agriculture and Sustainable Supply-Chain category. The Olam group has always been a committed and responsible player within the communities it operates in. Their Livelihood Charter which outlines the practices of Olam for a sustainable development, and their environmental and social responsibility, impressed the judges who gave very positive feedback

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

News from the field AWALA: TWO YEARS ALREADY! Personal account by François Mvé Obiang, 35 years old, Assistant Manager. He has worked at the Awala site since 23 June 2011.

nothing and now we are seeing all these innovations. For example, when we started, we only needed three vehicles to transport the staff. Now we have over twenty”.

“When I see the progress since I arrived here, I notice the scale of the project and the structural development. We started with

Memory: “The arrival of the Asian managers meant we could receive training and improve our agricultural skills”.

Personal account by Hugues Arnaud Maguena, 40 years old, Staff Manager. He has worked on the Awala site since 14 June 2011 “The various officials who have visited me on the site have made me believe in the project because of their experience, their enthusiasm for the work and their commitment. As I often say to my colleagues, I won’t leave Awala before I see the first drop of oil”.

“The plantation project in Kango/ Awala is moving full steam ahead. In 2011, it was only shrub land. Now, more than 6,000 hectares of palm trees have been planted. Every single day I can see that the project is taking shape - the fact that the plantation exists proves that the many sceptics were wrong. Houses are being built and new workers join our team in Awala every day. There are so many things that inspire confidence in the project”.

Plantations Personal account by Raphaël Aouba, 38 years old, RSPO Manager (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil). He has worked at the Awala site since 9 May 2011 “Although we have been praised for planting 3,500 hectares in 1 year, on the infrastructure side (housing, offices, etc.) the project is slightly behind schedule as a result of continually having to adapt to the realities on the ground. Throughout this adventure I can honestly say that I have been particularly marked by the company’s commitment to comply with the legal requirements and the assurances given to the communities impacted by the project”. “I have believed in this project from the very beginning, not only because of the group’s size and values, but also because of the managers’ commitment to properly completing all of the preliminary stages to set up a project on such a scale”. Wish: “To quote Voltaire: I hope for the best with this project in the best of all possible worlds”.

Wish: “My wish is to see the project completed so that everyone can benefit from all of the investments that have been made».

Personal account by Marie Agathe Mabicka, 48 years old, farmer. She has worked at the Awala site since 19 July 2011.

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

“The project is progressing and we can see its impact in village communities. I see a better future. I am looking forward to attending the opening of the factory. I hope that it will give us new training opportunities».

News from the field

Plantations

MOUILA : THE JOURNEY OF AN OIL PALM SEED The oil palm seeds used by Olam are ordered from research stations abroad in Costa Rica, Ghana and Thailand. The seeds are pre-germinated when they reach Gabon where they are then multiplied in a pre-nursery

Touchdown

Radicule

the

pre-nursery:

Un limbe lancĂŠolĂŠ

This is where the young plant will stay for about 4 months, just after germination. The young seedlings go through the following stages: - The seeds are received pre-germinated and are transplanted using their plumule and radicle. -The first leaf and primary roots appear one month after transplanting. -After 2 to 4 months, the network of adventitious roots replaces the missing radicle. The first leaves appear. They have a lanceolate limb. The young plants grow 3 to 4 leaves per lanceolate limb (the limb looks like a narrow spear). The root system develops well from primary, secondary and tertiary roots. This is when the young plants can be moved to a nursery because they are becoming autotrophic, i.e. they are now able to produce organic matter from the reduction of inorganic matter and an external source of energy (light).

Pre-nursery preparation: - Choose a place close to the nursery - Mark out beds by laying 1.5 m wide bamboo sticks horizontally and parallel to each other, so as to hold 5,000 to 6,000 bags. - Small black polybags are used to hold the young plants (the bottom of these bags is perforated). - Place the nursery beds 80 cm apart. - The bags are filled with moist forest topsoil.

Pre nursery transplant: - Make a hole 2-3 cm deep in the middle of the bag of soil. Place the sprout in the hole with the radicule facing downwards and cover it with 1 cm of soil. - After the transplant, lightly water the seedling. - Once each bed is finished, it is identified by a card with its number, the transplant date, the planting material identity code and the number of sprouts transplanted.

Pre-nursery management: - Maintenance: involves manual maintenance of the paths and bags (without the use of chemical products) - Watering: we provide the equivalent of 4 mm of rain every second day if there is no rainfall - Fertilisation: well-chosen land gives the pre-nursery a good start. But fertiliser can be added (Agroblen or NPK) if necessary. In the nursery: - The nursery stage takes place over a period of 7 to 9 months before permanent planting. The palm tree loses its youthful appearance as it grows highly differentiated leaves.

In the nursery:

- The nursery stage takes place over a period of 7 to 9 months before permanent planting. The palm tree loses its youthful appearance as it grows highly differentiated leaves Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

News from the field

Plantations

MOUILA : THE JOURNEY OF AN OIL PALM SEED (suite) Preparation in the nursery: - The nursery is always located close to a source of water capable of providing 100 m3 of water per day per hectare. - Black polybags measuring 40 cm x 40 cm are used. The lower half of each polybag is perforated by three parallel rows of holes, each hole measuring 3 to 4 mm in diameter and the holes being 5 cm apart. - A spreader device is used to arrange the full bags so that they are 90 cm apart and together describe an equilateral triangle. - Main lanes 5 m to 6 m wide and paths allow easy circulation and make it possible to separate the beds. - Each bed is identified by a card stating the number of plants, the transplant date and the type of plant material. - One hectare in a pre-nursery may contain 14,000 to 15,000 plants, depending on the distances used in the equilateral triangle device.

Moving into the nursery: Maintenance: involves upkeep of the paths between the bags. The bags are always maintained manually and hoes may be used for this purpose. Watering: the watering equipment guarantees an even, fine spray. The number of watering sites is determined by the total area of the pre-nursery. Watering is carried out three times a week. The

amount of water required depends on the age of the plant. Watering is not permitted if there is heavy rainfall. Fertilisation: Fertilisation is carried out monthly. The precise requirements are determined based on the on-site diagnosis. Transplanting: Vertical holes are made in the centre of the bags using a cylindrical planter. The bottom of the pre-nursery bag is torn and the young plant and root ball are slipped into the hole. A little soil is packed around the root ball. The neck of the young plant must be at ground level. The plant should then be watered to ensure healthy settlement in the ground. Immature period (planting in open fields) A palm grove has two operating periods: - The first early period during which the growing plants are not productive (from 2 to 4 years). The first lots produced are not of the standard required to sell on the market. - The productive stage when the lots are harvested and sent to the factory. This stage may last 20 to 30 years. Particular attention is given to two operations during the unripe stage: - Areas around the palm trees are maintained manually using a machete or a hoe. Six to nine times 1.5 m circumferences around the palm trees in the first year. - Cutting back, which means cutting back often invasive surrounding plants

In coming newsletter you will get the opportunity to learn about the mature phase of the palm oil tree Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Plantations

News from the field

MOUILA : STAFF TRANSPORTATION Since October 2013, our staff on sites has been offered new means of transportation for their comfort and safety. 42 trucks are already operational throughout the country.

MOUILA : UP TO 100 HECTARES PLANTED PER DAY This incredible daily achievement is taking place at our Palm plantation in Mouila. Thanks to an outstanding motivation and continuous hard work of more than 2,200 employees! Up to date, 3,636 hectares have been planted. The objective was to reach 4,000 ha by mid-2014! “This planting season in Mouila is an opportunity to put in our maximum effort and resources to swiftly expand our planted area. Rain came in the second week of October with full of joy for the whole team. Planting kicked off in an accelerated pace and will

continue to gain momentum. All appreciation must go to the planting team on the ground who is doing the hard work on a daily basis regardless of the weather. It’s challenging when roads are so slippery with high downpour of rain.” Sasitharan Mathavan Site Director

Olam Palm’s team leader in Mouila, Helmud Dehen, believes that the achievement so far is still below expectation as he believes his team can do better. What matters the most is the willingness of the local team to work together and break even higher records Congratulations to Olam Palm’s management and plantation team in Mouila!

BITAM : 1,420 HECTARES PLANTED AT THE END OF THE FIRST PLANTING CAMPAIGN: AFTER THE WORK IS A TIME FOR REASSURANCE The first campaign began in August 2012. The prenursery was set up after the grafting of 500,000 plants. Each planting campaign corresponds to one budget year. The first phase was completed in August 2013 with the planting of 1,420 hectares of land. To celebrate this milestone, a meal for all the Olam Rubber employees, i.e. 627 people on-site, was organised. This meal marks the end of one phase and the beginning of another. The aim is to have planted 2,500 hectares by the end of the financial year 2013-2014.

in relation to both the training of plantation workers and logistical organisation to take the plants to the plantation site. Each person played his part to complete the task assigned to him. Management showed its gratitude by organising a meal for the employees. On behalf of management, I want to thank each individual employee.”

“The first planting phase has been carried out successfully, with 1,420 hectares complete, which was possible thanks to the support of our employees. They worked continuously alongside management to reach this milestone. We encountered some difficulties

Veluswamy Lingaiah, Director of Agricultural Operations Kudos to the hard working teams !

Veluswamy Lingaiah, Site Director

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

News from the field

Plantations

OLAM: ECONOMIC PLAYER IN WOLEU NTEM

he Woleu-Ntem Economic Days on August 20th-21st 2013 was honoured by the presence of the Prime Minister, Raymond Ndong Sima, and the Secretary General of the Government, Pacôme Moubelet Boubeya. Both days attracted considerable media interest. Olam was represented at this event and had the opportunity to participate in exchanges between the people from Woleu Ntem and the national and provincial authorities in order to synergise ideas and strategies. The objective was also to boost all means of helping the province of Woleu Ntem to strengthen - if not recover - its place in Gabon’s development process. Olam being in a joint venture with the Gabonese Republic (Olam 80% and the Gabonese Republic 20%), its rubber activities represent a major asset for the economic development of the province as well. Olam employs more than 600 people and sub-contracted work taking the staff requirement up to 1,500 employees

last year. Olam Rubber has a direct impact on 32 neighbouring villages where it has installed 543 solar streetlights and 28 water pumps. In order to demonstrate its activities, Olam used a Rubber Growing Stand to talk to the general public about the nature and progress of its project. Offering free access to an economic village, an agricultural and a culinary fair, the event welcomed almost 2,000 people in two days. A total of 700 people attended conferences at which around twenty speakers gave presentations

OPENING OF THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER NYÉ On Monday August 12th, the bridge on the River Nyé, built by teams from Olam Rubber, was opened in the presence of Jean Gustave Meviane M’Obiang, Governor of Woleu-Ntem and prefects from Oyem, Bitem and Minvoul. This structure was designed to provide access to the centre and to the east of our concession, as well as to improve access to Bitam for several villages isolated from the Azombe-Bolossoville route, allowing easy movement of people and goods. For environmental reasons, the trunks used to support the bridge come from trees that we had to

fell on the plantation in order to prepare the land. The main difficulty encountered by the teams was working in water with strong currents and slippery wood, but today we are proud of the outcome and the soundness of the structure that was created. The inauguration also brought together the team from the Directorate-General for the Environment, local populations and Olam representatives to assess the social commitments since the last meeting in July 2012

SOME FIGURES : Machinery: • 1 bulldozer, 1 fork loader • 1 bucket loader • 1 excavator • 1 dump truck and log carriers to transport logs from our plantation.

Length: 120 metres •Duration of work: 8 months •Cost: 160 million CFA •Time saved by villagers as a result of the bridge: approx. 1 hour •Team: 20 permanent workers and 60 occasional workers

Sturdiness the bridge can hold up to 60 tonnes, for approximately 15 years of service. Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

News from the field

Timber

FORESTRY ACTIVITIES NUR S ERY

n partnership with the NGO Nature +, we have settled a nursery on our timber site: Zadie. The nursery has a capacity of 10,000 plants. The objective of these activities is to reforest forest logging gaps, and respect our commitment to the sustainable management plan of the Forest Concession granted to Olam. In addition, Olam is still actively engaged in the sustainable management of its concessions, monitoring the forest dynamics thanks to a tracking device that measures annual growth of a selected range of trees. A long-term study of 5 to 10 years will give a better grasp of the growth rate for each species. In Zadie’s nursery, species include Azobé , Agba , Wenge, Padouk , Pao rosa... some plants in the nurery

A look at the nursery

In addition to the internal nursery, Olam has signed a contract with three neighboring villages : Ebyeng, Masaha , Mbes, that will each provide 2,000 plants to Olam. This partnership agreement comes as a strengthener to the peaceful social climate between Olam teams and local populations

Monitored Padouk tree

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

News from the field

Special economic zone

SIGNING THEPURCHASECONTRACTS SIGNING THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS

he first purchase contracts for the Special Economic Zone are in the process of being signed. Proceedings were interrupted by restructuring of the Ministry of Housing, which took over most of the Ministry’s time in September 2012. Until then, GSEZ had a global land title (no. 17747) for the area where parcelling was necessary to individually allocate titles to the clients in the area. Once the purchase contracts have been signed, the notary will begin the transfer of ownership to the purchaser, the future new owner. Although the client is the owner of his plot, he is still subject to a co-ownership system set out in specifications which are attached to the purchase contract. These specifications, which are currently being drafted, contain building regulations in the SEZ, for example, as well as regulations for using common areas, regulations for co-existing with other businesses and the standards to be met (fiscal, social, energy, environmental, etc.)

Investors settled in Nkok SEZ have started building their plant, here Consulting House

Resurgent Gabon

SEVEN PLOTS HANDED OVER THIS QUARTER The SEZ currently has 77 clients. 70% of its plots have already been handed over, with 25% due to be handed over in the near future.

Consulting House

Chaudronnerie du Gabon

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Since June, we have granted seven clients their respective plots of land: • LH Services, representative of Lee Burtt in Gabon, is located in the industrial area; • SCI EI Akhrass, specialised in the hotel industry and stock-in-trade, is in the commercial area; • Otim Veneers is involved in timber operations and is located in the industrial area; • La Maison Géante de l’Equipement, which specialises in household appliances, is based in the industrial area; • SMIG, an investor specialised in building materials, is also setting up in the industrial area. • Agetip Benin will be located in the residential area • Cira Mali will also be present in the residential zone

News from the field

Special economic zone

Energy sources in GSEZ

lectricity: the supply source is a 70 MW gasfired power plant in Alenakiri, built by the Israeli company Telemenia exclusively to meet the energy needs of the SEZ at Nkok. The power plant was activated very recently after its official opening by the President of the Republic, Ali Bongo Ondimba, on 17 August 2013, during a ceremony organised by the Ministry for Energy. The electricity produced by this plant is reinforced by a substation before it is routed to the SEZ at Nkok via a double-circuit 90kV line installed by teams from GSEZ S.A. The 90kV transmission line has already been successfully tested in September 2013, so it is possible to supply the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary power station (MRSS). This station has also been tested and is ready to begin operating. However, the fibre optics still have to be installed between Telemenia and GSEZ so that the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary station can function correctly.

Drinking water will be extracted from the ground by means of 6 manholes, each with the ability to hold 30 cubic metres, and then it will be stored in two water towers with a capacity of 1 and 5 million litres respectively. The water will subsequently be channelled to the professionals in the area. The manholes and water network will be tested in October and November to ensure correct throughput and watertightness of the pipes. Since November 2013, water is now available in the zone and foyr clients are connected to the internal supply network

Engineers are expected at Nkok during the course of the next few weeks to activate all of the stations. The area should be fully powered once the tests have finished. GSEZ is temporarily providing investors who have already started building their factory with generator sets at no additional cost to provide power until there is a permanent supply to each plot of land. The GSEZ S.A. team is now focusing on the establishment of the subscription contracts, invoicing electricity supplies in the zone and maintaining the energy systems. Water: The installation and viability of the water supply network is covered during all of phase 1 of the construction of the SEZ at Nkok, including the three areas: residential, commercial and industrial.

Water tank of 5 million liter capacity

Main Receiving Sub Station in Nkok SEZ. It will distribute 20KV out of the 90KV supplied in Nkok SEZ

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

News from the field

Special economic zone

ROADSHOWS IN ASIA

onths from June to September 2013, have been particularly busy for the Marketing team SEZ Nkok. To promote Gabon and the SEZ as places for foreign investments, roadshows have been organized across Asia. Our teams participated in presentations , conferences, workshops , promotional booths, partners meets and networking. In 6 months, promotional activities were conducted in 4 countries : UAE, India, China and Malaysia. In Dubai, 26 meetings were done in 3 days, 6 potential investors have clearly expressed their interest for Gabon and Nkok SEZ. In Malaysia, our team’s mission was more focused on the wood industry, 12 prospects were approached , and 8 of them have expressed their interest to invest in the SEZ. A delegation is also expected to come to Libreville in February 2014.

Next roadshows are planned in Morocco, Egypt and Saudi Arabia

BEST PRODUCT AWARD As part of Olam International annual awards, Gabon Special Economic Zone business unit won in the

«Best Product “category! 12 products were competing in this category and this prize is one of the most prestigious in Olam. Congratulations to the SEZ team.

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Fertilizer

News from the field

ESIA APPROVAL FOR PHASE 4

FC’s plot, an area of 127 hectares in the Mandji free zone, was granted approval on 3 September 2013 for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment to carry out phase 4 of the project. This final phase involves the installation of water pipes to supply the factory. We have now reached the end of the backfill stage and the platform on plots C1-8 and C3-1 is ready for construction to begin. The finishing touches are being finalised and until now the only pipes on site were for pumping water to the swamps and dredging sand from the sea to the site. 21 October 2011: Approval of ESIA for phase 1 authorised us to prepare the land (clearing and construction of access roads). 13 January 2012: The ESIA for phase 2 concerning backfill and dredging and the erection of a 3.5 metre high platform on which the fertiliser plant will be constructed is approved. 3 August 2012: Approval of the ESIA for phase 3 makes it possible for construction of the factory to begin.

Mr. Louis Léandre Ebobola Tsibah, General Directorate for the Environment, visiting the site

Surveys of the ocean bed

The DGE (General Directorate for the Environment) has approved this study after slightly more than a year, which authorises us to install water pipes from the village of Loanda, from the wharf to be more precise, that would lead to the factory 56 km away from the starting point. The water pipes are to be delivered just before work begins on the factory’s initial foundations. Why is this study being conducted? Before any construction work can be carried out, an impact study is compulsory. Our aim is to lay a pipe one metre in diameter over a 56 km route, which means that we need to ensure that we minimise the negative impacts and maximise the positive impacts. The study revealed that the impacts were more prevalent in the social aspects than the environmental ones. Although we did not pass through any villages, our main concern was that the pipe should cross the mangrove without disturbing or affecting the villages situated around it. During the study, the social communicators and the outreach team met with the communities living in the villages likely to be affected. Environment: A sub-contractor from Boskalis Van Oord conducted underwater studies from 8 to 12 July 2013. Their team monitored the seabed and conducted several water quality tests. Nothing unusual was detected. Similarly, no difficulties in relation to marine wildlife were encountered. End of site preparation, land ready for construction We have now arrived at the end of the filling phase. Platform in plots C1 and C3-8-1 is now ready to carry the factory. Construction can begin

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Across Businesses HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK: ZERO ACCIDENT GOAL

lam is currently taking concrete measures to improve its ability to prevent occupational illnesses. Prevention can be achieved through information, education and communication to change behaviour at work; we are developing all these approaches at all levels to work towards the ZERO ACCIDENTS goal.

Special mention to the Nkok SEZ : within a year, i.e. 2,168,464 working hours, the SEZ has recorded ZERO accident.

During May, the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) team intensified the prevention campaign across all the sites where Olam is present, namely Libreville, Nkok, Kango, Port-Gentil, Makokou, Mouila and Bitam. Posters have been actively circulated, documents on company policy with regard to hygiene, safety and quality have been made available and awareness-raising sessions have taken place. Peer Educators, who are members of our HSE team, make a significant contribution to raising awareness. Meeting on a voluntary basis, they receive information in small groups and are then responsible for relaying this information to the on-site teams.

DR DAVID KAMAU

AND HIS WORKS FOR OLAM’S HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT (HSE) David Kamau has a PhD in Nutritional Sciences and Technology and holds a first certificate in occupational medicine, a second certificate in system quality management. Dr. Kamau has left Kenya in August 2013 to come and support us in our HSE mission to reach «ZERO ACCIDENT» . With a 20-year-experience in the field, he manages teams in Nkok , Awala , Mouila and Bitam and focuses on capacity building by training operational staff and supervisors, and has included HSE in the performance review criteria for managers and supervisors, therefore, becoming a duty, not an option. With Emmanuel Gege’s assistance, the commitment of senior managers in Libreville and on sites, as well as that the team, David Kamau plans to produce driving manuals and fact sheets on risks assessment and monitoring to ensure compliance with best practices. Further to advocacy works Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

«all managers now know the importance and the duty to respect EHS standards. (...) There is an applicable performance standard applied to all sites. (...)EHS works are now more proactive than reactive» he explained

Dr. David Kamau Continued on page 21

Marathon Special TRAINING AND PRE-SELECTIVE RACES : A MEETING UNLIKE ANY OTHER

f you have already spotted a group of 15 to 20 people running by the sea in Libreville on a Saturday morning at 7.30 a.m., then you have certainly come across part of the Olam team training for the Marathon from the 30th of November to 1st of December. Full of motivation, the Olam team in Libreville met every week in a friendly atmosphere for a warm-up session, followed by a 8 to 12 km run and then a cool-down. Our runners came from our other the sites around the country (Kango, Port-Gentil, Mouila, Bitam, Makokou). They trained in groups or individually with the hope of honouring their company, official partner of the Gabon Marathon

CANCER BE BREAST THE UNIQUE LOSER

LET’S TAKE A LOOK BACK ON THIS UNIQUE EXPERIENCE! On November 30th and December 1st, the first ever edition of the Marathon of Gabon took place and rallied over 8,000 people of 30 different nationalities, some of which were world records’ holders from Kenya and Ethiopia. Olam as the official partner gathered a team of 160 people among which about 90 employees from all locations, their families and friends. We were also present in the Marathon’s dedicated village with a 108 m2 booth where we had a small exhibition on our activities in Gabon, our Corporate Social Responsibility as well as our Health, Safety and Environment work.

We were extremely thrilled by Audrey Nynze’s performance, our colleague from Awala Palm plantations, who came second with a time of 00’19’’33’’’ closely following Tegla Tchepkite Loroupe from Kenya, a world record holder who arrived first in 00’19’’28’’’. She received her trophy and medal from Sylvia Bongo Ondimba (First Lady of Gabon) and Gagan Gupta (Olam Country Head in Gabon). On her left hand side, the winner of the race. Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Marathon Special Some additional activities were organized for these children: a fancy nature themed make-up workshop and a palm» planting activity whereby each child planted a palm seedling that was taken back to our plantation in Mouila. Nine-year-old Nicolas Aho Ogouebandja from our Olam Team ranked first for the 1km race that he completed in 00’03’’23’’’.

La Gabonaise a 5km race (for women only) had 1,093 participants including 20 Olam team women who ran alongside the First Lady of Gabo. Olam team ladies wore the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness as well as Marathon du Gabon pink Olam customized t-shirts stating in French at the back “breast cancer will be the only one defeated”. One of our Olam team kids, planting her palm with the help of one of our colleague from Mouila

Family picture with all the kids from Olam Team The Juniors’ races (3 options: 1km, 2km, 3km) gathered over 1,500 kids. 50 kids were registered as part of our Olam Team, out of them, 25 kids were from a local orphanage that we had sponsored and invited to run along

On December 1st, World AIDS day, all Olam runners wore red ribbons as a sign of support. Being the shortest track available for male runners, Le 10km was by far the most popular race with 1,264 runners. About 50 employees had signed up for it, including Gagan Gupta, Gabon Country Head. All our running colleagues wore Olam customized t-shirts that stated in French “a clean race for my environment”. Faustin Boukila, from Olam Palm Awala (Kango) was the first Olam team runner to cross the line as he arrived in 31st position. Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Some of our 10 km race Olam team members

Marathon Special 679 runners attended the Semi-Marathon (21.095 km) out of which 24 brave Olam employees. Christian Ngniga representing Olam, was the first from the team to cross the finish line in 30th position. They all wore Olam customized t-shirts stating in French “run for Earth’s second lung” on their back.

Here, Gagan Gupta (Gabon Country Head) encouraging Olam team members getting ready to run the race

3 Olam team members decided to run for the actual Marathon (42.195 km) which gathered 131 people. The top 13 champions were VIP guests from Kenya, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Male winner Peter Kurui from Kenya finished the race in 02’14’’42’’’ and the female winner Kenyan Jerotitch Milika in 02’34’’04’’’. The first Olam runner to complete the race was 76th, his name is Marius Abessolo

Marathon’s female and male winners taking rest in Olam stand after the race

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Across Businesses DECEMBER 1ST : ONE OLAM FOR ONE CAUSE AND THREE OBJECTIVES

Duration of the campaign: from November 25th to December 3rd , 2013.

This year again, HIV-AIDS day has rallied thousands of people whether it was people concerned about reaching others, or people eager to understand what the virus is about and how it can be transmitted. Olam now employs more than 4,000 employees in Gabon. Campaigns took place in 4 locations: Mouila& Awala (Olam Palm Gabon), Bitam (Olam Rubber Gabon) and Libreville. Olam’s Marathon Team for the Marathon of Gabon wore a red ribbon and Olam Marathon runners wore a t-shirt stating at their back, in French, “AIDS? Leave it behind”.

Teams: 56 people - Partnered with The Red Cross - Peer educators - Medical team - Social team Audience : - 975 people in 23 villages - Village chiefs - Communities - Local officials

Zero new infections • Zero AIDS-related deaths • Zero discrimination

700 free AIDS screening tests given to local hospitals

6,885 free condoms distributed

Key information leaflets

Presentations on HIV-AIDS risks, AIDS early screening, getting a safe behaviour

Winning prize quizzes

Football games organized

PINK FRIDAY One woman in eight is currently affected by breast cancer and this figure could change in twenty years to one in seven. 75% of cases involve women over 50 years old. In Libreville (Olam’s HQ in Gabon with about 120 employees) an important part of Olam’s staff have put their effort together to raise awareness on breast cancer. In order to show their support for women suffering from this disease, many of them wore pink on Friday, October 18th 2013. We called it PINK FRIDAY. In addition, informative electronic mails about the disease and a “Pink October” screensaver were aimed to raise awareness amongst employees. As part of our HSE programs there are many causes we try to raise awareness on Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Our partners in action Agricultural Development Project

OLAM-IGAD-Mouila

Mr. Christian Renardet Head of IGAD, partnership’s supervisor

he partnership between the Gabonese Institute of Development Support (IGAD) and Olam will initially operate in the area around the oil palm plantation in Mouila, more specifically in Mboukou and Mutane sane Funu, in various pilot projects. IGAD has been in existence since 1992. Consisting of 70 employees (predominantly engineers and technicians), IGAD’s activities extend to all 9 provinces of Gabon. Co-operation between Olam and IGAD will, in the long term, contribute significantly to improving food safety in the Mouila area and will provide the villagers who are unable to work in Olam’s plantations with a reliable, sustained income. 5 IGAD employees will be working on this project. The partnership will last for 3 years, with an investment of almost 95.7 million CFA. M. Christian Renardet, who manages IGAD and oversees the partnership, spoke about the project. Can you tell us about IGAD’s activities? IGAD was established because of the government’s wish to set up an agricultural development organisation based on a public-private partnership model. The founding members are the Gabonese State, the company Total Gabon (formerly known as Elf) and the organisation Agrisud International (which is based in France). IGAD is a non-profit organisation. The scope of its activities is developed with its partners and covers: - the participation and establishment of peri-urban market gardening; - research, development and agricultural support; - professional agricultural training; - advisory support for producers; - and the structuring of professional organisations for producers.

IGAD currently has about a dozen partnerships with the private sector both in Gabon and worldwide. Our partners include Shell, Total, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Research Institute for Development, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Higher National Agronomy and Biotechnology Institute, the National School of Water and Forests, the National School for Rural Development, etc. What role does each party play? IGAD is responsible for the engineering work, professional training of agricultural producers in collective organisations, follow-up and advice in economic and technical management, and for reporting. In Mutane Sane Fumu and in Mboukou, there are two blocks of 10 hectares that will be converted and divided into 4 subsistence farms. Bananas and cassavas will be grown here during the first year, and a part of the area will be used as a set-aside. We will also install two cassava processing units with a production capacity of 300 kg of cassava paste per hour. Our aim is to support villagers who wish to participate in this project by making them self-sufficient. Any output from this project will be for on-farm use and for sale above all, providing an additional income for the villagers. What environmental standards do you insist on? We follow all of the standards specified by the FAO, and when we use pesticides we use them in accordance with EU standards. We also work in line with the standards of Agrisud International, with whom we have produced a practical guide to agro-ecology.

Olam’s role is to fund a part of the investments and to build the infrastructures required to implement this project.

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Our partners in action

IGAD technicians during training

What do you find inspiring in this partnership with Olam? Olam is the main agro-business company with which we are currently partners. This project with Olam is interesting because it is consistent with one of our goals, which is to create and supply provincial markets. Olam, as a result of its growing need for a work force, is creating new markets in rural areas and those people require food supplies. The thousands of employees at Olam mean thousands of mouths to feed, which therefore leads to the creation of a solvent market. I say â&#x20AC;&#x153;solvent marketâ&#x20AC;? because these consumers receive a monthly salary and are therefore able to buy food, Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

with easy access to it since everything is produced and sold on-site. We also hope to work on the development of peri-urban market gardening areas which would provide for towns

ÂŠ IGAD

What are the specific features and advantages of IGAD? Since 1992, IGAD has worked with many organisations from the agricultural sector. We were pioneers in working with small producers, particularly in the development of subsistence agriculture and especially peri-urban garden marketing. We have worked alongside small communities who had been abandoned to be replaced by industrial blocks, aiming to enhance agriculture for the domestic market. We also participate in the Agrisud international network, which operates in 17 countries. Therefore, it is our duty to follow the internationally accepted standards while learning from the practices and expertise in other countries. We have had the opportunity, for example, to carry out a numerous projects in other African countries.

Cassava processing

Committing to Gabon TESTIMONY FROM A VILLAGER FROM NSILÉ WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE PROGRAMME.

part. She now has the opportunity to meet the needs of her family of 7. Smiling and confident, Amélie has agreed to speak about the benefits of the programme.

The lady on the left with the basket is called Mbagou Françoise, agricultural and farming advisor in the village of Nsilé. We are working with her in this project to support food safety in the villages affected. She oversees the groups involved in the pilot project

n terms of our policy of social and environmental responsibility, meeting our commitments to the local communities and within the framework of sustainable development, we are implementing support programmes, starting points for local activities with the potential to provide food resources, and ultimately income for individuals and their families. While the creation of jobs is Olam’s greatest contribution to the communities for which it is developing its projects, the company is also attempting to start a small-scale agricultural programme. The pilot programme in subsistence agriculture, launched close to the Awala-Kango plantation, should be extended to Mouila over the coming months. As well as helping to improve local food safety, it will also increase households’ income in the years to come. So far, 40 hectares have been identified as being suitable for this type of farming, with 3.5 hectares having been already planted with banana trees. Olam supplies the agricultural equipment (hoes, machetes, watering cans, wheelbarrows, spades, etc.). Our technicians are helping the recipients to prepare the land in particular by making available two chainsaws and, in collaboration with the head of the agricultural sector of Komo-Kango (Ministry for Agriculture) and the IGAD (Gabonese Institute of Development Support), training in best agricultural practices, such as plantation procedures, the use of pesticides, etc. Olam also supplies plants to start the venture – bought from a regional cooperative - and helps to monitor the work. Four families from Nsilé, a small village with about one hundred inhabitants close to the oil palm plantation of Awala-Kango, have been included in the programme. Amélie Issanga Poujol aged 48 is taking

How did you hear about the programme? I heard about the programme through the Olam social teams who conducted awareness campaigns here in Nsilé. They encouraged the villagers to take part in the project by providing useful information. Does it help your family? These crops will help to provide an additional income to my family which includes 5 young children, while meeting our food requirements at the same time. This is definitely a bonus! We were farming before the project reached Nsilé, but Olam’s material and technical assistance allows us to think big and develop our skills. What have you planted so far? We have mostly planted bananas, taros and pineapples. Olam has made it clear that they will help us to harvest the cassava soon.

Amélie Issanga Poujol

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Committing to Gabon following testimony

Have you harvested any crops yet? If so, which ones and how long did it take? We had partially started our plantation in August 2012 before becoming involved in Olam’s programme in February 2013. Since the beginning of our plantation we have harvested 3 bunches of bananas. The remainder of the banana plantation is still in the process of ripening A final word? Fundamentally we are women farmers. Olam, through this programme, has improved our skills in subsistence agriculture. I sometimes invest in my crops because these types of plantations require a lot of resources. This personal investment also helps us to show Olam how motivated we are

Flamingos are back

ast year, as part of our commitment to the conservation of the environment, US $ 500,000 were donated to the National Agency for National Parks (ANPN) of Gabon, for a one year programme, to increase the protection and management of Akanda’s national park and Pongara’s national parks. Both are dominated by mangrove vegetation, salt pans and mudflats. The mangroves are key ecosystems for fisheries reproduction and are the source of all shrimps and most fishes eaten in Libreville whilst the mudflats are critical habitat for migratory water birds. Some 9 months after we have closed down the villages in the park and stopped the illegal fishing activity a flock of 73 Greater and Lesser flamingoes arrived and have now been feeding themselves on the Moka mudflats for 3 months. This is the first for Gabon in over 50 years and a clear indication that the restoration of the Akanda mudflats is underway. This migration of flamingos was also observed in Pongara’s National Park, being a one-off in living memory. So far 1,300 flamingos have been seen

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

We are OLAM Portraits

Our rubber nursery supervisor: Tiburce Bobedzang My afternoon is usually spent drafting daily reports and predicting the work for the following day. We compare our forecasts and achievements during this work session. It is my job to explain any discrepancies observed and to find solutions for them. How many people do you supervise? We use two categories of staff for our agricultural work: The OLAM staff, over 200 of whom I supervise (including testers and team leaders) and the 300-strong contract staff.

Tiburce Bobedzang Be Ndong

fter one year and 3 months working for Olam Rubber Gabon, having planted 1,150 hectares of rubber trees, Tiburce Bobedzang Be Ndong, Deputy Head of Pre-Nurseries, has agreed to share his daily routine with us. This 43 year-old Gabonese, a graduate from the Polytechnic School of Masuku, worked at Hévégab for 10 years and then for 8 years at the Rubber Technical Support Centre (CATH). In February 2013, Tiburce was named employee of the month. What does your job entail? Together with the Director of Agricultural Operations and the Pre-Nursery Manager, I set the targets to be met, I organise the construction sites and check the status of the work and the progress made. I periodically monitor the work schedule. How would you describe a typical working day? Based on the work forecasts made the day before, we start the day with a roll call before assigning those present to various tasks. We carry out a general visit of all the construction sites on the agenda in order to monitor the quality of the work. We usually focus on the construction sites which we believe to be tricky in order to put our knowledge and experience to use. It is not always enough to give instructions, so we get involved in the task to show the workers the quality of the work we expect from them.

What do you consider to be your greatest success? I must say that I proudly remember the day when I set up pre-nurseries A (10 ha) and B (13 ha) as well as the bud wood garden for transplants (10 ha). These achievements made it possible to create a 1,420 ha plantation and we still use our bud wood garden for transplants, which means that we now produce our plants on site. Can it be said that you have learned a lot since you started working at Olam, particularly through the transfer of knowledge from foreign experts? The rubber business is almost the same in every country, although I do admit that our experts have more experience in the field. For me, the experiences complement each other because I trained in French and Olam uses an English-speaking system. This will make me a versatile expert. We have several photos of you with leading national figures (President of the Republic, Prime Minister, etc.). Are you proud? More than proud! (laughs) When the images were broadcast in the media, my phone did not stop ringing. On a more serious note, I was very proud to introduce OLAM Rubber to the highest authorities in our country. These opportunities don’t come along every day in a person’s career. I still have all these memories.

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

We are OLAM What are the main environmental measures you take? I am very particular about complying with environmental standards for sustainable development and, therefore, when the environmental and social impact studies were presented to the communities, we pledged to comply with several clauses such as respecting buffer zones (unplanted areas), observing an 8 km free zone around villages, confining our activities to a distance of 60 to 100 m from water flows, etc. Do you see any positive impacts in the region? The facts are real and the consequences are already tangible. The communities can attest to that. We have opened inter-departmental communications, built the bridge on the river Nyé, rehabilitated some roads, distributed school kits among pupils – the list is a long one. As difficult as Olam’s rubber project may be, I believe it will be accomplished

Tiburce Bobedzang Be Ndong with H.E. Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon visiting the plantation in August 2012

Our Civil Engineer : Oumou Ba Mba Traoré Oumou Ba Mba Traoré, our 30 yearold Gabonese Civil Engineer, has been working for nearly three years for our fertilizer plant project Gabon Fertilizer Company in Port-Gentil. After professional experiences in South Africa, Oumou decided to work towards the achievement of one of the largest industrial projects in Gabon. What does your job entail ? I ensure that subcontractors do their work according to the guidelines that are submitted to them. I monitor works that are purely related to civil engineering, and even when it becomes administrative it has to remain related to construction. From a broader perspective, the mission of a civil engineer is to ensure that buildings are made according to national and international standards.

How would you describe a typical working day? I begin with a daily meeting to review the progress on the site. I then reach site as it is still under construction, in order to monitor progress and check that everything is done according to specifications, recommendations and standards. Our site is currently across 80 hectares, and focuses on several activities at once. I sometimes have a long day of fieldwork. I then return to the office and submit my daily report which will be complementary to the sub–contractor’s report. I wish to stress that my job is not just monitoring. We also ensure that the project is rapidly progressing, according to environmental and social standards. For instance, at the beginning we had planned to build a protective barrier of rocks around the site. As a civil engineer I suggested to implement and maintain a faster, cheaper, and more sustainable protection that

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

would be organic. Can we say that as a woman you feel isolated in this maledominated field ? Not really. On site, I sense a lot of respect from men. I have to admit that our job can be difficult for a woman in the way that it is very physical. However from a gender point of view, I do not feel isolated at all. It remains nevertheless true that many people are still surprised by my career path. What are the biggest challenges you face on a daily basis? My job is quite physical. Spending a day on site can be challenging. Generally speaking, I feel the challenge lies in the completion and success of this project as it is a unique and a very complex project in Gabon.

We are OLAM unique and a very complex project in Gabon. How did you join Olam’s teams ? A member of staff told me about a vacancy in Port –Gentil, I applied straight away. What would you say to young women who wish to become engineers ?

It is a job that has a great future for women, and it certainly would not be fair to stigmatize it. I am very proud to see women in this professional field. There are many women team members in our foreign subcontractors’ teams. I wish there were more Gabonese women who took this career path. How is GFC enhancing your professional

and

personal

experience? Thanks to this project I have learnt a lot about multiple streams of civil engineering. I have improved my planning, designing and implementing skills. Plus, the cultural mix is very pleasant. At GFC, amongst employees and subcontractors, we have a dozen nationalities which interact and work together as teams aiming at a common goal

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

OLAM’s Resources Olam’s laurels Basil Ndong , Fleet manager in the Special Economic Zone of Nkok

Further to his relocation to Nkok’s park, Basil has implemented numerous procedures and efficient systems. He has created a climate of security on site, while addressing administrative and accounting issues. Basil is dedicated in his work and always looking to excel.

Sumantra Chattopadhyaya , Civil Engineer at Gabon Fertliser Company in Port Gentil

Guided by Mr. Ayemperumal, Engineer in chief, Sumantra was heavily involved in the dredging and filling of the land that will host the fertilizer plant. His continuous and meticulous procedures with consultants and the monitoring of works on site contributed to the success of the project’s first phase. He has shown great dedication to the project and has demonstrated professionalism many times.

Rebecca Zame Zogo, Assistant to the social program at the Department for Sustainability in Bitam

Rebecca has participated in obtaining the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC ) of the populations neighbouring our rubber plantation. She is, with her colleagues, in permanent contact with people in order to ensure a favourable social climate. Rebecca has been actively involved in organizing the inauguration of Nye’s bridge in August. Malick Pambou , IT Support in Libreville Very reliable, Malick has provided a lot of effort in maintaining a strong team spirit . He motivated his peers, particularly after an unfortunate incident affected one of his colleagues. He was able to ensure effective transfer of technology equipment during the Headquarters offices shifts, and negotiated a 40% discount with Gabon Telecom

Births Congratulations to Prescillia Inoungunany, Grazuella Tovignon, Immaculée Mébiame and Sandra Moussavou for their newborn babies

New team members We welcome our new team members Alex François Sima Ebanega Technical Assistant, Olam Palm, Kango

Axel Blondel Lendzondzo Technical Assistant, Olam Palm, Kango

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Amoah Ebenezer Kofi Plantation Manager, Olam Palm, Kango

OLAM’s Resources Amit Raikwar Accountant, GSEZ, Nkok

Brice Alain Libalaboumouanda Nurse, Olam Palm, Mouila

Dérangeant Mba Ngomo QSHE Manager, Libreville

Doboriya Jignesh Electro-mechanic, Olam Palm, Kango

Francis Daniel Mabian Technical Director, Bois, Makokou

Geslye Nora Ngonde Administrative Assistant, Olam Palm, Mouila

Ingrid Raissa Matsanga Administrative Assistant, Olam Palm, Mouila

Ishank Sahadeva Mechanic Engineer, Olam Palm, Mouila

Marc Ulrich Obiang Bitome Assistant Accountant, Olam Rubber, Bitam

Pant Bhavit Site foreman Olam Palm, Mouila

Pricillia Andurand Sales and Marketing Agent, GSEZ, Nkok

Raju Johnson Josephin Stocks Assistant Manager, Olam Rubber, Bitam

Ragendran Veerasingam Plant Director, Olam Palm, Kango

Raghu Ranjan Rai Land planning Assistant Manager, Olam Rubber, Bitam

Raoul Paul Nguina Sanga Company works Doctor, Olam Palm, Mouila

René Mengome Eyeghe Administrator Bois, Makokou

In our team Death of our colleague Jayaraman V. (GFC) It was with great regret and deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Mr Jayaraman V, our Vice-President and Director of Gabon Fertilizer Company (GFC), following a heart attack in Chennai in India. Olam’s Country Director, Gagan Gupta, and all of Olam’s teams in Gabon and worldwide, particularly the members of the GFC team, are deeply moved because Mr. Jayaraman V is no longer with us. He was an expert in the production of fertilisers, to which he dedicated more than 40 years of his life. Mr. Jayaraman had been working on the GFC project since 2011. He played a crucial role in the project, from the first environmental and social impact studies to the current works on land preparation. He was a very compassionate man and an internationally renowned technocrat. May he rest in peace

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Photos and games Rubber

Rubber nursery in Bitam.51 hectares in December 2013.

Rubber plantation in Bitam (Bitouri). 2 019 hectares in December 2013.

2nd bridge on River NyĂŠ, under construction. Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Photos and games Palm

Final palm nurseries in Kango (Awala). 23 hectares in December 2013

Palm plantations in Kango (Awala). 6,275 hectares planted in December 2013

Palm plantation in Mouila 3,636 hectares in December 2013. First palm fruit bunches in Kango (Awala). Palm trees being too young, these first bunches are not yet economically viable (November 2013).

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Photos and games Special Economic Zone

Construction work by Nkok SEZ investors. (November 2013).

Main Receiving Electrical Sub-station in Nkok SEZ. Quay under construction in Nkok SEZ. Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Photos and games Fertilizer plant (GFC)

Land preparation: dredging and land filling at GFC site in Port Gentil (Mandji’s Island) in July 2013 (top) and October 2013 (bottom).

Olam employees rallying in Libreville for “Arc-en-Ciel” On the initiative of Blaine Bandzari, a fund-raising event at the Olam site was organised for the orphans of Sainte Marie. On 6 July 2013, Olam employees donated goods to a dozen children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years at the Arc-en-Ciel Orphanage. Further on, a very special relationship was born between Olam and Arc-en-Ciel

On November 3rd , on the day of the solar eclipse, members of our staff made sure kids had safe and adapted lenses.

Kids were also invited to join the Marathon of Gabon, after receiving 25 pairs of running shoes

Our Marathon of Gabon’s champion Out of the 1,093 participants of the five-kilometer race “La Gabonaise”, Audrey Nynze our colleague from Awala-Kango (palm plantation), was ranked first Gabonese to reach the finish line and came second in the race. She was welcomed with cheers by her colleagues on site. To congratulate and encourage her, the management decided to get her house built

Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013

Photos and games GAMES Hectarage and letters

In the Kitchen Recipe (using palm oil)

Poulet Nyembwe is a flagship recipe in Gabonese cuisine. ‘Nyembwe’ means “palm oil” in Myene. Ingredients for 4 people: - Palm oil - 1 whole smoked chicken - 3 cloves of garlic - 1 chicken stock cube - 2 peppers - Pepper - 3 laurel leaves - 2 onions

- Salt

Cooking method: 1. Heat the palm oil in a pot. 2. Add the diced onions and garlic. 3. Stir and leave to cook a little. 4. Next, add the stock, laurel and a little salt. 5. When the nyembwé begins to thicken, add the pieces of smoked chicken. Stir regularly over a low flame for 15 to 20 minutes. 6. Add the water and allow to cook for another 15 minutes. 7. Once cooked, add the peppers. Ensure that they remain intact. You can serve the dish with rice and cassava leaves. Gabon Flash - The newsletter Olam Gabon - No. 4 - December 2013