By Our Reporter
Vivo Energy Uganda, the company that distributes and markets Shell branded fuels and lubricants in Uganda, has been awarded three standards certifications by the International Standards Organization (ISO). ISO is the global standard-setting body, comprised of representatives from various standards organisations.
Vivo Energy Uganda was awarded ISO 9001: 2015 Certification for implementing Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001:2015 Certification for Environmental Management System and ISO 45001:2018 Certification for Occupational Health and Safety.
Vivo Energy Uganda celebrated this milestone by hosting a dinner at Kampala Serena Hotel with its staff and various stakeholders, ranging from diplomatic heads of missions, government agencies, business partners and customers in attendance.
The Managing Director of Vivo Energy Uganda, Gilbert Assi noted that the triple ISO certification was the highest honour bestowed upon any company seeking excellence through implementing quality management systems.
“To Vivo Energy Uganda this will reinforce our company’s position as the most respected energy business in Uganda; which is in line with our company vision. We also believe that at the heart of Vivo Energy Uganda’s operations are our stakeholders and our commitment to excellence in health, safety, security and the environment (HSSE). To our company today, the announcement of our triple ISO certification is an affirmation of what we have always focused on as our work culture. The Vivo Energy way of carrying out key business operations is meant to be in the safest manner possible and with quality and efficiency in mind,” he said.
The Executive Director of Uganda National Bureau of Standards, Eng. Dr. Ben Manyindo hailed Vivo Energy Uganda for making a strategic decision to work to achieve certifications from ISO.
“The triple ISO certification is an important milestone for Vivo Energy Uganda and demonstrates desire to seek excellence in the quality of your products, services and overall health and safety of your employees and the environment. Congratulations,” he said.
Adding, “As the government body with a mandate is ensuring high standards in this country, we appeal to all companies to pursue not only national but also international certifications to ensure better management of their resources, an increase in profitability and stronger return on investments.”
Vivo Energy’s Executive Vice President for East and Southern Africa, Hans Paulsen, thanked the government for creating an enabling environment for the sector to thrive.
“Achieving the triple ISO certification enables key players like Vivo Energy to continue to meet our customers’ needs through the continuous pursuit of innovation and excellence in order to improve our product and services. Our continuous investment is also testament of our belief in the potential and vast opportunities for growth that the sector provides in Uganda. I congratulate the team at Vivo Energy Uganda for this achievement, and thank our partners for their continued support.”
The commissioner of Petroleum supply at Ministry of Energy Rev Frank Tukwasibwe who represented the Minister of Energy Irene Muloni noted that Vivo Energy Uganda’s triple ISO certification would be associated with a range of benefits that the company and its stakeholders and the sector at large would enjoy.
“The government of Uganda notes with appreciation the investments made by players in the sector such as yourselves, in ensuring that Ugandans receive the best value for their money. It makes us proud that Vivo Energy is championing this and leading further growth of the sector. The State will work to ensure that it continues to enable investment in the sector and continuous improvement overall,” he added.
He further encouraged the company to ensure compliance with the required standards set and to work towards sustaining the three certifications.
Vivo Energy Uganda also announced that it was working with the International Standards Organisation to pursue additional certification of its fuels laboratory in Kampala.