By Amin Kef Sesay
As a sequel to a previous programme that was held last month which in essence was to show appreciation to Station Managers and Pump Attendants on their successful completion of a training programme geared towards enhancing their performances in handling customers and to optimize safety standards, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has on the 11th and 12th March 2022 extended appreciation to Dealers and Resellers, in Bo for those in the South-East Provinces and in Makeni for those in the North-East Provinces. In Bo, the programme was held at the Gallinnes Hotel and in Makeni at the Wusum Hotel Conference Halls respectively.
In attendance were the Management of NP-SL Ltd which include the Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Kobi Walker, the Sales Manager of NP-SL Ltd, Vandy Bockarie, the Finance and Accounts Manager, Saidu Mansaray, Ing Munu and other members of Staff including Mary Ganda, Massah Alieu of the Commercial Department, Saffia Gbanmanja of the Safety Department and some of the drivers of the company, NP Dealers, Resellers and members of the Fourth Estate.
Chairing both programmes was the Sales Supervisor at NP-SL Ltd, Leon Aboku Cole, who in his opening statement maintained that for far too long the dealers and resellers have been serving diligently members of the public via NP-SL Ltd in order to ensure that petroleum products are accessible to all and sundry. He continued that they deemed it fit that it is high time that the company should extend appreciation to them which, according to him, is the main thrust of the twin programme. He continued that during the programme they will be distributing Certificates of Appreciation and Excellent Performance to them furthering that the Certificates fall under three categories.
Leon pointed out that a Certificate of Affinity will be issued to show appreciation to those who, on a daily basis, operate their Filling Stations from 6:00am to at times 10 to 11:00 pm even on holidays. The other Certificate, he said, is in appreciation for Excellent Service Delivery to those who out of passion delivered above the expected volume of petroleum products within their hold or purview and finally for steady transportation of fuel by contractors on behalf of the company.
The Chief Executive Officer of NP-SL Ltd, Ambassador Kobi Walker, in his statement apologized for starting the programme late in Bo which he attributed to an important meeting which stakeholders of Oil Marketing Companies attended. He informed all that they initially wanted to engage the President, His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio but because he was out of the country they met with the Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa and a team of other Government officials.
Kobi Walker continued that the engagement was triggered by information they received, as part of Oil Marketing Companies in the country, from their overseas partners that they are no longer in a position to store fuel, supply them and for them to pay later because of the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine. “We told the Chief Minister about our challenges and in return the Government committed that it will do all it can to ensure that fuel is available and access to finance was assured,” Amb Kobi Walker disclosed.
He said because they cherish the relationship that exists between them and the dealers as well as resellers they saw the need to appreciate them for their dedication and mainly because of the fact that they are the reason why the company still exists.
“When it is vacation you do not rest unlike others and because of the Supreme Sacrifices you are making you truly deserve appreciation and reward,” he stated and prayed that the relationship will continue to grow from strength to strength.
He ended up imploring all the dealers and resellers present to continue selling to members of the public and assured them that the price for petroleum products will remain the same until the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) revisits it as it does on a monthly basis.
In his contribution, the Sales Manager of NP-SL Ltd, Vandy Bockarie, stated that in the past, as a company, they used to invite the beneficiaries to Freetown in order to show appreciation to them. He continued that this time round they decided to decentralize by coming to them.
“Because we want to continue the bond that had existed between the company and you as the frontline people that interface with members of the public on a daily basis that is why we are here today,” he intimated. The Sales Manager furthered that they as Dealers and Resellers did very well in 2021 in terms of supporting and standing by them and for that reason they want to show appreciation.
“These gatherings are also geared towards creating the opportunity for you to meet with the Management of the company in a one family spirit,” he added.
The Finance and Accounts Manager of NP-SL Ltd, Saidu Mansaray, on his part, informed the audience that the currently crisis in which Russia and Ukraine are engulfed in is beginning to have a toll on the accessibility to petroleum products globally but assured that the company is doing all it can to ensure that petroleum products are available in order to cushion the negative effects on members of the public.
He noted that nurturing a good relationship between the company and dealers as well as resellers is even better more than just the mere buying and selling. “We are about to manifest gratitude by giving you certificates of appreciation which is part of our efforts to cement the existing bond between us,” he revealed adding that it is his conviction that such will optimize the relationship and implored them to do more.
Representatives of the beneficiaries expressed profound thanks and appreciation to the Shareholders and Management of NP-SL Ltd for recognizing and honouring them.
The climax of the programme was distribution of Certificates to over 150 beneficiaries from the two provinces.
