Enforced responsibility

‘Are you sure this is the way to the bank?’ I asked Asabe as soon as I turned my car into the next street.

‘Yes it is, just drive a little further and you will see the building.’ She replied simply.

‘But how can there be a bank on a street like this, look well, is this really the right road?’ I asked again.

‘I told you it is Bint. What is the problem? I’ve been banking with them for the last five years, do you expect me not to know the way?’ She demanded.

‘No Asabe, its just that with the dirt on this road, I do not expect any bank to be situated here. I mean look at this rubbish heap, how can such an eyesore be on the same street as a bank or any corporate body for that matter?’ I asked, driving on.

‘And here we are’ Asabe suddenly said, when we reached a high rise building of about four floors, with lovely flowers and well-manicured hedges all around it. ‘This is the bank you couldn’t believe exists here’ she announced proudly.

‘Yes, I can see it. But it’s a shame that it does exist here. I mean look at it’s beautiful, nicely- coated exterior. Check out the landscaping, enchanting flowers and ever-green shrubs. And the latest model of cars parked all over the place. Indeed you can’t expect anything more from a corporate edifice any day. But then look at the rest of the street. How can the owners of this bank be so insensitive to the state of their environment. A huge refuse dump such as that one, just two minutes away from this grand edifice? What does it say about the people who work here?’ I queried.

‘Look Bint, I know it’s an eyesore but if the bankers and their customers are not bothered by it, why should it concern you?’ Asabe asked.

‘It concerns me that people are beginning to accept living in dirt as a norm rather than an aberration. And a place like a bank or any other company should show the ordinary folk an example by keeping their immediate surroundings clean. Last year when I was looking for a boarding school for Little Bint, I went to one school that was recommended by people I know. To my greatest shock, the last bend before the school houses a huge refuse dump that you have to look the other way when you drive towards it. I couldn’t believe a school could be sited near such a huge health hazard. I was even more surprised when I found out that not one or two but three expensive, supposedly international schools are there on that same street. Needless to say, before I even went into the school I knew I couldn’t take my LB there. I kept wondering what will happen when there is a cholera or another contagious disease outbreak, and the kids are in school. You know they will be at a high risk because of that rubbish dump. So I went in briefly, made the necessary enquiries and left. I had no intention of taking my daughter there.’ I explained.

‘You are right Bint schools and corporate bodies should be examples to the common man. I wonder why they don’t care.’ Asabe replied, thoughtfully.

‘I think it’s because they have no sense of corporate social responsibility. If they do, any areas around them should be taken care of by them. If not for the sake of the people, at least for the sake of their corporate image. I think we should write an open letter to the ministry of environment urging them to issue a directive that all banks, companies, other corporate bodies and schools should be responsible for the cleanliness of the areas around them. They should be penalised for failure to keep clean the environment surrounding where they exist, and they should be threatened with withdrawal of operating licenses, if they persist in their failure to abide by the ministerial directive.’ I declared.

‘Kai Bint, that’s taking it too far. Just call on the government to encourage them to contribute to environmental sanitation. That’s all. But why all the penalties and the threats? It is a voluntary thing after all.’ She argued.

‘No Asabe, it has to be enforced to be effective. By the time the directive comes into effect, it is no longer a voluntary thing. It will now be an obligation for schools and corporate bodies to keep clean the areas wherein they operate. It should be an enforced social responsibility otherwise it won’t be long before it will be discarded. And we will be back to square one. But once we get them to do this as an obligation, it will not be hard to encourage ordinary folk to keep their surroundings clean, indeed they will be inspired by the actions of these institutions into imbibing the culture of serious environmental hygiene.’ I enthused.

‘I hope so Bint, meanwhile let me rush in and deposit this check before the banking hall is closed.’ Asabe said before she opened the car door and left.