Ensuring the success of a big project delivery into Africa, across the supply chain and over several borders, starts with good communication, solid planning and buy-in and collaboration from all stakeholders, including the communities through which the cargo travels. “We transport cargo through the community’s backyard and we have to understand how it impacts them in order to minimise risks and obtain their buy-in,” said Les Dodds who heads project logistics and materials management at AMEC. He said the company had found that successful delivery of project cargo was achieved by playing the game of constant communication and being willing to listen to solutions offered by the community. “Often they know the way around a problem better than we do because they live there. And if we can minimise the impact on their dayto- day lives, we gain their trust and their buy-in, ensuring a smoother transit going forward,” Dodds said. He also noted that project cargo operators should not fight the various rules and regulations of each country, but rather find a way to work with them. “To do that it is important to choose partners on the ground who will stay with the company long-term and not just on a project-to-project basis,” said Dodds. “This means that all project stakeholders will have a greater understanding of which factors will affect the supply chain, will have well-established relationships with the communities they work in and will be better informed as to the challenges they may encounter along the way,” he said. INSERT & CAPTION We transport cargo through a community’s backyard and need to understand how it impacts them. – Les Dodds
