By Amin Kef Sesay
In this country there is no one company that has monopoly over the sale of petroleum products as there are various players within the landscape. However, indisputably the one that stands out tall is the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) which has mastered the trade so well to such an extent that, over the years, its customer base has increased astronomically.
When we talk of the timeliness in the importation of petroleum products then the company has been rated as doing extremely well in that direction. The pro-active way in which the company operates has been very impressive especially when we take into consideration easy accessibility to petroleum products. The company has always maintained that posture year in and out except when there could be certain unforeseen anomalies beyond the reach of the company that would affect the supply chain.
One thing that is remarkable about the company is that it always endeavors to market its petroleum products as reasonably as possible even when the profit margins are low. The main focus of its Shareholders and Management team is to diligently serve humanity in the most qualitative manner.
Prioritizing customer care is considered very paramount out of the strong conviction that the company will be nowhere without its cherished customers.
Against such a backdrop, the company has a customer care unit that primarily interface with members of the public. Concerns and recommendations channelled through it are raised in certain management meetings, discussed and the way forward mapped out.
Regarding their customers as very important individuals, NP-SL Ltd always ensures that to give them optimal satisfaction, value must be derived from their monies spent. It was thinking along that line that prompted the shareholders of the company to replace their old fashioned pumping machines to calibrated pumping machines of high standard which transparently pump the requisite quantity of petrol or diesel demanded for. Confidence is now high among its customers that they are getting exactly what they are paying for.
Still within the domain of 1st for Customer Care, the company is always in position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for fuel and lubricant supplies as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place. When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honouring their obligations.
In this country today, for one to see a successful business entity that is owned mainly by Sierra Leoneans and having a maximum number of indigenes as members of staff is like trying to find a lost needle on the beach, although there are some that could be identified.
For NP-SL Ltd this has been a big achievement as the company is strongly adhering to the country’s Local Content Policy. Making use of local brains has been identified as one of the conduits through which developing countries like Sierra Leone could attain economic empowerment. Correspondingly, if there is a continuation of the colonial mentality that it is only by importing foreign ideas and skills that we will get there then such could be a very sad mistake.
By providing job opportunities for hitherto jobless Sierra Leoneans, NP-SL Ltd continues to help in alleviating poverty by putting monies into pockets which could be utilized to take care of responsibilities.
For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it will spur you to recommend it to others.
NP Smart Card is now in vogue and is one of the latest technological devices used to purchase petroleum products. Using it has attendant advantages as evident in procuring fuel at any time of the day even during times when monies could not be accessed from banks. It is secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.
To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the requisite financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from the collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA). Â NP is indeed one of the big time tax payers in the country and it is very compliant in that direction.
From all indications, it is crystal clear that NP-SL Ltd is here to stay in order to give the best and contribute tremendously to the socio-economic development of the country. Indeed the company is passionate and committed towards attaining those objectives. It assures customers of easy accessibility to all their products
