Thursday, August 05, 2004
Phone Book on line
The phone book for Abidjan and also the other towns of Ivory Coast is available on line.
The lastest printed phone book was dated 2001-2002.
The site:
http://www.abc.ci
is up to date and allows you to put in the surname of the person.
It will then return his/her address and the number.
For the interior of the country, you can input either the name of the town or the geographical region.
The printed phone book was difficult to consult as you had to know in what region a town was before you could find the town. (For example, what is the name of the region that covers Bouaké?)
The phone book for Abidjan and also the other towns of Ivory Coast is available on line.
The lastest printed phone book was dated 2001-2002.
The site:
http://www.abc.ci
is up to date and allows you to put in the surname of the person.
It will then return his/her address and the number.
For the interior of the country, you can input either the name of the town or the geographical region.
The printed phone book was difficult to consult as you had to know in what region a town was before you could find the town. (For example, what is the name of the region that covers Bouaké?)
Subscribers to TELECEL, Beware!
Telecel used to pride itself on its service and there was a time when their network seemed to serve their clients better than did that of Orange/ex-Ivoiris.
Since July, apparently without putting out any detailed information to their customers (at least I did not receive any), Telecel has changed the way they handle their general subscribers as opposed to company accounts.
It has been explained to me by their staff that in July they introduced a new computer program arrangement. Subscribers in general are set a limit put into the system and this is inflexible.
It was explained that once a subscriber exceeds this amount related to his category, he is automatically cut off from the possibility of making any calls, even to their service number 555 to complain. :-(
This is done even if the subscriber’s bills have been paid correctly and no matter what his average monthly usage may have been before this blanket cut-off point was introduced.
In this way Telecel service seems to have been replaced by the expediency of a computer program that has no consideration for their clients and their exceptional needs and that handles the public at large in the same manner no matter what their standing in the past has been with the company.
Whether you are employed by an embassy or a company, for personal or professional reasons, your usage may be much higher one month. Beware! This may put you above the Telecel limit and they will then prevent your making any calls till your next due bill is paid.
Even then they may take a long time to get your line re-established so you can again make calls.
In my case, I am subscribed at the Perso45 rate which means my minimum bill per month is 45.000F (even if I use less). If I use more, I pay the minimum rate and then other calls are charged on a per-unit basis.
This has worked out satisfactorily in the past. During times of political and social excitement in the country, with Embassy calls to be made, my monthly use has exceeded 100.000F.
Why then am I not able to make calls at the moment? Because in the current month it seems I have made more than 70.000F worth of calls and with the June bill of 45.000F still due to be paid by August 18, I am over their computer’s cut-off point.
Telecel expects you to have the gift of prophecy. Until the next bill comes, one cannot know what one’s usage is for any current month. Nor do you know what their limit is in real terms.
Now, when you need to make extra calls, do they really expect you to limit them?
I was cut off on Monday as being above their computer’s arbitrary pre-set limit. Calling 555 no longer works from my cell phone. So on Tuesday on a pre-paid card (which had no units) I was able to call 555 and got nowhere. Their agent told me I owed money. Simplest explanation!
Now in the past I have offered to help Telecel find some competent accountancy staff, and so I thought I should go to see them in 2 Plateaux.
M. Kouakou, Responsable Recouvrement, received me well enough but did not get the whole story across. In view of the fact that I have closed 4 subscriptions with Telecel since 1997, he thought if I went to the Plateau HQ, they could help sort out the problem so that I at least keep this account with them. He referred me to M. Coulibaly in Recouvrement there. Once again, most amiably received, and this time the bottom line on usage and the sin of exceeding their computer’s new pre-set limit was explained. That made clear why I was in limbo. But how to escape?
Since according to both these agents my account status was correct, both thought my Telecel line should be able to be re-established. And it was thought we may be able to find a way this does not happen again.
M. Coulibaly was optimistic that it would be done on Tuesday night, one hour not allowing enough time for it to be done by 6 pm. For goodness sake! There is probably not much of a strenuous or technical nature to re-establish a line except move paper from one desk to another.
Well, it did not happen Tuesday night. Wednesday two phone calls where made (we must be grateful for CI-TELCOM!) and I was promised they were working on it. It is now Thursday and my line has not yet been re-established. (P.S. Finally they managed to reconnect the line at 1 p.m. Friday.)
The moral of the story: If you decide to stay with Telecel, you are probably better off with a pre-paid chip. You’ll make less calls, you’ll be able to make them when you need to, and you will have to visit them less often to complain.
In fact, your subscription account can now be changed to a pre-paid one, and you can keep the same number.
Those of us with Telecel subscriptions in the past had them for convenience’s sake. However, the convenience no longer seems to be there.
And do not fail to look at what Orange has to offer.
Let us look forward to the day when, like in the United States, we will be able to change service provider and still keep the same phone number.
Telecel used to pride itself on its service and there was a time when their network seemed to serve their clients better than did that of Orange/ex-Ivoiris.
Since July, apparently without putting out any detailed information to their customers (at least I did not receive any), Telecel has changed the way they handle their general subscribers as opposed to company accounts.
It has been explained to me by their staff that in July they introduced a new computer program arrangement. Subscribers in general are set a limit put into the system and this is inflexible.
It was explained that once a subscriber exceeds this amount related to his category, he is automatically cut off from the possibility of making any calls, even to their service number 555 to complain. :-(
This is done even if the subscriber’s bills have been paid correctly and no matter what his average monthly usage may have been before this blanket cut-off point was introduced.
In this way Telecel service seems to have been replaced by the expediency of a computer program that has no consideration for their clients and their exceptional needs and that handles the public at large in the same manner no matter what their standing in the past has been with the company.
Whether you are employed by an embassy or a company, for personal or professional reasons, your usage may be much higher one month. Beware! This may put you above the Telecel limit and they will then prevent your making any calls till your next due bill is paid.
Even then they may take a long time to get your line re-established so you can again make calls.
In my case, I am subscribed at the Perso45 rate which means my minimum bill per month is 45.000F (even if I use less). If I use more, I pay the minimum rate and then other calls are charged on a per-unit basis.
This has worked out satisfactorily in the past. During times of political and social excitement in the country, with Embassy calls to be made, my monthly use has exceeded 100.000F.
Why then am I not able to make calls at the moment? Because in the current month it seems I have made more than 70.000F worth of calls and with the June bill of 45.000F still due to be paid by August 18, I am over their computer’s cut-off point.
Telecel expects you to have the gift of prophecy. Until the next bill comes, one cannot know what one’s usage is for any current month. Nor do you know what their limit is in real terms.
Now, when you need to make extra calls, do they really expect you to limit them?
I was cut off on Monday as being above their computer’s arbitrary pre-set limit. Calling 555 no longer works from my cell phone. So on Tuesday on a pre-paid card (which had no units) I was able to call 555 and got nowhere. Their agent told me I owed money. Simplest explanation!
Now in the past I have offered to help Telecel find some competent accountancy staff, and so I thought I should go to see them in 2 Plateaux.
M. Kouakou, Responsable Recouvrement, received me well enough but did not get the whole story across. In view of the fact that I have closed 4 subscriptions with Telecel since 1997, he thought if I went to the Plateau HQ, they could help sort out the problem so that I at least keep this account with them. He referred me to M. Coulibaly in Recouvrement there. Once again, most amiably received, and this time the bottom line on usage and the sin of exceeding their computer’s new pre-set limit was explained. That made clear why I was in limbo. But how to escape?
Since according to both these agents my account status was correct, both thought my Telecel line should be able to be re-established. And it was thought we may be able to find a way this does not happen again.
M. Coulibaly was optimistic that it would be done on Tuesday night, one hour not allowing enough time for it to be done by 6 pm. For goodness sake! There is probably not much of a strenuous or technical nature to re-establish a line except move paper from one desk to another.
Well, it did not happen Tuesday night. Wednesday two phone calls where made (we must be grateful for CI-TELCOM!) and I was promised they were working on it. It is now Thursday and my line has not yet been re-established. (P.S. Finally they managed to reconnect the line at 1 p.m. Friday.)
The moral of the story: If you decide to stay with Telecel, you are probably better off with a pre-paid chip. You’ll make less calls, you’ll be able to make them when you need to, and you will have to visit them less often to complain.
In fact, your subscription account can now be changed to a pre-paid one, and you can keep the same number.
Those of us with Telecel subscriptions in the past had them for convenience’s sake. However, the convenience no longer seems to be there.
And do not fail to look at what Orange has to offer.
Let us look forward to the day when, like in the United States, we will be able to change service provider and still keep the same phone number.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Let's Keep Things in Perspective
Vehicle searches in Ivory Coast may be incovenient, but they're a fact of life.
They may be hard to tolerate -- but now similar searches are having to be made in America where Police are also standing around with automatic or semi-automatic weapons rarely seen before. The following article shows that vehicle searches have become a reality Stateside, and not just for drugs.
Each time these searches and roadblocks are stopped in Abidjan, hold-ups increase.
Car-jackings in Abidjan are not yet at the level of Johannesburg or of some American cities, nor is street crime.
Security Checkpoints Affect Morning Traffic
By Fred Barbash and Cameron W. Barr
Washington Post Staff Writers
Washington Post, Tuesday, August 3, 2004; 8:21 AM
Motorists approaching Capitol Hill are experiencing delays this morning because of closed roads and security checkpoints instituted as part of the area's heightened terrorism status.
Traffic was slowed as well near the World Bank and International Monetary Fund buildings in Foggy Bottom, where some streets have been closed.
On the Hill and along the Mall, police are directing traffic into lanes marked by orange cones at 14 spots in Northeast Washington, particularly along First and Second streets and Constitution and Independence avenues. The full list of checkpoints and road closings can be examined at the Capitol Police Web site. Capitol Police spokeswoman Sgt. Contricia Sellers-Ford said that all vehicles at the checkpoints are "subject to some type of security screening."
The extent of the screening, she said, depends on the type of vehicle, what the vehicle appears to be carrying and how easy--or difficult--it is for officers to look inside.
Cars with dark tinted windows, for example, will have to roll down their windows for inspection, she said.
Near the Hart Senate Office Building, eight uniformed officers were asking for identification from all drivers but were inspecting only selected vehicles. Some drivers chosen for inspection were being asked to get out and open their car trunks.
At that and other locations, however, the process appeared to be taking an average of about five minutes.
Vehicle searches in Ivory Coast may be incovenient, but they're a fact of life.
They may be hard to tolerate -- but now similar searches are having to be made in America where Police are also standing around with automatic or semi-automatic weapons rarely seen before. The following article shows that vehicle searches have become a reality Stateside, and not just for drugs.
Each time these searches and roadblocks are stopped in Abidjan, hold-ups increase.
Car-jackings in Abidjan are not yet at the level of Johannesburg or of some American cities, nor is street crime.
Security Checkpoints Affect Morning Traffic
By Fred Barbash and Cameron W. Barr
Washington Post Staff Writers
Washington Post, Tuesday, August 3, 2004; 8:21 AM
Motorists approaching Capitol Hill are experiencing delays this morning because of closed roads and security checkpoints instituted as part of the area's heightened terrorism status.
Traffic was slowed as well near the World Bank and International Monetary Fund buildings in Foggy Bottom, where some streets have been closed.
On the Hill and along the Mall, police are directing traffic into lanes marked by orange cones at 14 spots in Northeast Washington, particularly along First and Second streets and Constitution and Independence avenues. The full list of checkpoints and road closings can be examined at the Capitol Police Web site. Capitol Police spokeswoman Sgt. Contricia Sellers-Ford said that all vehicles at the checkpoints are "subject to some type of security screening."
The extent of the screening, she said, depends on the type of vehicle, what the vehicle appears to be carrying and how easy--or difficult--it is for officers to look inside.
Cars with dark tinted windows, for example, will have to roll down their windows for inspection, she said.
Near the Hart Senate Office Building, eight uniformed officers were asking for identification from all drivers but were inspecting only selected vehicles. Some drivers chosen for inspection were being asked to get out and open their car trunks.
At that and other locations, however, the process appeared to be taking an average of about five minutes.
Monday, August 02, 2004
PEACE, RECONCILIATION AND REUNIFICATION
After the blustering, grandstanding and procrastination, maybe we are now, finally, really on the way following the Accra III talks and agreement of July 29 and 30.
The African Heads of State present and Kofi Annan tried to make it clear they took matters seriously, effectively dismissing the FPI President’s objections as whitewash. They acted similarly with President Gbagbo.
They made it clear that UN and international sanctions will be applied if the parties, and particularly the President, do not respect this agreement which even the latter signed.
It is therefore unlikely that the presidential clan will call the " young patriots " out into the street over this, and the pro-Gbagbo newspaper has tried to depict the result of the the summit as a victory for the President. (They have always lived more on dreams than on reality.)
If the President and the Reconciliation Government can get their act together, disarmament of the ex-rebels and the pro-Gbagbo militias will begin October 15 under the watchful eye of the UN.
A Council meeting of the Government should take place within a week including the three members that Gbagbo never wanted to set eyes on again.
As an irony, the President himself has been given the duty of having Article 35 of the Constitution amended though the powers vested in him so that Alassane Ouattara and Bédié will be able to be candidates alongside him at the October 2005 Presidential Election.
Meanwhile people in Abidjan wait for the reaction of the pro-Gbagbo anti-ADO die-hards – including his wife. Bringing smiles to many lips, ex-President Bédié (forgetting his policy of " ivoirité ") is saying that the link between him and ADO goes back a long way. Touching. :-) Just as well in politics people’s memories are so short.
Abidjan is quiet and life goes on as normal. Even before this summit, the British Foreign Office downgraded somewhat their travel warning. Movement around the whole country is relatively easy, and several missionaries and expatriates are working in the north of the country. More hassles are likely to be encountered with the government roadblocks than with those in the north, particularly if you are in a 4WD vehicle
After the blustering, grandstanding and procrastination, maybe we are now, finally, really on the way following the Accra III talks and agreement of July 29 and 30.
The African Heads of State present and Kofi Annan tried to make it clear they took matters seriously, effectively dismissing the FPI President’s objections as whitewash. They acted similarly with President Gbagbo.
They made it clear that UN and international sanctions will be applied if the parties, and particularly the President, do not respect this agreement which even the latter signed.
It is therefore unlikely that the presidential clan will call the " young patriots " out into the street over this, and the pro-Gbagbo newspaper has tried to depict the result of the the summit as a victory for the President. (They have always lived more on dreams than on reality.)
If the President and the Reconciliation Government can get their act together, disarmament of the ex-rebels and the pro-Gbagbo militias will begin October 15 under the watchful eye of the UN.
A Council meeting of the Government should take place within a week including the three members that Gbagbo never wanted to set eyes on again.
As an irony, the President himself has been given the duty of having Article 35 of the Constitution amended though the powers vested in him so that Alassane Ouattara and Bédié will be able to be candidates alongside him at the October 2005 Presidential Election.
Meanwhile people in Abidjan wait for the reaction of the pro-Gbagbo anti-ADO die-hards – including his wife. Bringing smiles to many lips, ex-President Bédié (forgetting his policy of " ivoirité ") is saying that the link between him and ADO goes back a long way. Touching. :-) Just as well in politics people’s memories are so short.
Abidjan is quiet and life goes on as normal. Even before this summit, the British Foreign Office downgraded somewhat their travel warning. Movement around the whole country is relatively easy, and several missionaries and expatriates are working in the north of the country. More hassles are likely to be encountered with the government roadblocks than with those in the north, particularly if you are in a 4WD vehicle
Minimum Salaries to be Paid for House Help in R.C.I.
The following is reprinted in French for those who need this information. Though it dates from 1999, I do not think the details have changed.
To the figures given should be added the transport allowance unless the employee lives on your premises: about 7.300 F per month minimum. (You may prefer to give a more realistic amount but only for each day of actual presence at work.)
Employees are also entitled to what is called "gratification" (75% of a monthly salary each year of work), PLUS one month’s vacation for 12 months worked. (If they take holidays the same month each year, this means they receive for the holiday month 11/12 of a regular month’s salary.)
I hope that the following is useful.
"Il existe un barème qui détermine la qualification et les salaires correspondants.
Sept catégories sont fixées pour les gens de maison.
1ère catégorie : personne sans spécialité (petit boy, petite bonne, aide-cuisinier) : 36.607 F minimum (C’est le SMIG le salaire minimum interprofessionnel garanti.)
2ème catégorie : personne qui assure une partie des travaux de la maison sans lavage du linge. 56.439 F minimum.
3ème catégorie : personne chargé d’exécuter l’ensemble des travaux courants de l’intérieur et justifiant de deux années de pratique ; cuisiniers ayant au moins deux ans de pratique : 64.065 F minimum.
4ème catégorie : boy-cuisinier ou bonne-cuisinière assurant l’ensemble des travaux d’intérieur y compris la cuisine ; boy ou bonne qualifié(e) justifiant de plus de quatre ans de pratique : blanchisseur et repasseur : 65.534 F minimum.
5ème catégorie : cuisinier ou cuisinière qualifié(e) sachant faire la pâtisserie : 67.248 F minimum.
6ème catégorie : cuisinier ou cuisinière qualifié(e) sachant faire la pâtisserie ou la charcuterie : 69.839 F minimum.
7ème catégorie : maître d’hôtel : 72.739 F minimum."
(Reprinted from Ivoir’Soir 24/8/1999. Origin given : INSPECTION DU TRAVAIL)
The following is reprinted in French for those who need this information. Though it dates from 1999, I do not think the details have changed.
To the figures given should be added the transport allowance unless the employee lives on your premises: about 7.300 F per month minimum. (You may prefer to give a more realistic amount but only for each day of actual presence at work.)
Employees are also entitled to what is called "gratification" (75% of a monthly salary each year of work), PLUS one month’s vacation for 12 months worked. (If they take holidays the same month each year, this means they receive for the holiday month 11/12 of a regular month’s salary.)
I hope that the following is useful.
"Il existe un barème qui détermine la qualification et les salaires correspondants.
Sept catégories sont fixées pour les gens de maison.
1ère catégorie : personne sans spécialité (petit boy, petite bonne, aide-cuisinier) : 36.607 F minimum (C’est le SMIG le salaire minimum interprofessionnel garanti.)
2ème catégorie : personne qui assure une partie des travaux de la maison sans lavage du linge. 56.439 F minimum.
3ème catégorie : personne chargé d’exécuter l’ensemble des travaux courants de l’intérieur et justifiant de deux années de pratique ; cuisiniers ayant au moins deux ans de pratique : 64.065 F minimum.
4ème catégorie : boy-cuisinier ou bonne-cuisinière assurant l’ensemble des travaux d’intérieur y compris la cuisine ; boy ou bonne qualifié(e) justifiant de plus de quatre ans de pratique : blanchisseur et repasseur : 65.534 F minimum.
5ème catégorie : cuisinier ou cuisinière qualifié(e) sachant faire la pâtisserie : 67.248 F minimum.
6ème catégorie : cuisinier ou cuisinière qualifié(e) sachant faire la pâtisserie ou la charcuterie : 69.839 F minimum.
7ème catégorie : maître d’hôtel : 72.739 F minimum."
(Reprinted from Ivoir’Soir 24/8/1999. Origin given : INSPECTION DU TRAVAIL)
