Why We Acquired New Office -Red Star Boss
By Tayo Ajakaye
The managing director and chief executive officer of Red Star Express, Mr. Isaac Orolugbagbe has explained why the company made an investment in a new building.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, Orolugbagbe said when the company constructed the current operations building a few years back, it thought it wont need more space in the very near future. The management was soon proved wrong as the volume had become so large that it has become imperative that operations move to a more spacious building.
He disclosed that the business has witnessed tremendous increase in volume in the recent past as to require new investment in office and other infrastructures.
"We also have the building for expansion we are envisaging in the medium term," Orolugbagbe further stated.
The Red Star MD explained that the company is dreaming of doing bigger things in the market. This explains why RSE had to change its mission statement some months back.
The new mission statement publicized in the media is: we will in addition to our expertise in air express service, provide transportation, warehousing and other supply chain management services that will be prompt, secure and effective; through people - employing, developing and retaining a well-motivated team oriented workforce sharing common ideals and values; service - evolving and marketing a range of technology-driven services designed to meet the diverse needs of customers; profit - ensuring that our operations reflect a commitment to quality and are profitable at all times through prudent management.
Orolugbagbe who addressed the press after a tour of the new building with a size of 4000 square feet said the company is committed to its customers and to its people. He said, "We have a people's philosophy. We make people happy so that we could get a fair return on our investment."
The General Manager, Marketing, Mr. Obinna Ariwodo surmised the usefulness of the new investment when he said, "we want to be in a position to provide a better service for the customer."
Orolugbagbe also announced the establishment of the Red Star Foundation through which the company will pursue its corporate social responsibility. A first approval for four million naira have been given by the board of directors to the Foundation which Orolugbagbe said would be invested and proceeds from the investment used in funding the scholarship awards to nine students from Oshodi Local Government Area. Already, a Committee has been put in place to handle the disbursement.
He also commented on industry issues like the multiplicity of taxes and levies which companies suffer from federal, state and local government agents. Government, he advised, should resolve their matters amicably and leave the operators out of their quarrel. "Multiple tax is a corporate governance issue which affects business," Orolugbagbe stressed.
On other challenges faced by operators, Orolugbagbe said there is inconsistency in governance, which affects operations. There is also the problem with the quality of education in the country making it mandatory for the company to engage in training and retraining of staff. Again, there is the issue of poverty as impoverished customers are not able to pay for service no matter how much they desire such service.
Founded in 1992, RSE has as its core values ethical practice, corporate governance, performance, competition and profit orientation. Other values are manpower development, social responsibility and the fear of God.
|
