By Amin Kef Sesay
The erudite and result-oriented Executive Director of the country’s leading petroleum marketing company that has been in active operations in this country for quite a long period of time now, Kobi Walker, in an exclusive interview intimated how the company is doggedly determined and will continue to support the economic aspirations of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, a testament of the company’s enduring determination to stay.
Mr. Walker furthered that NP will continue to grow and sustain its business in a manner completely devoid of any political participation or influence adding that it is a beacon of light and a haven of excellence in customer service.
Walker underscored how NP is a leading oil marketing company in Sierra Leone pinpointing that the company was wholly and exclusively established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, most of whom were former and current staff, including office messengers and janitors.
He revealed that the private sector remains cardinal to the development of the nation. “The public and private sectors work together all around the world. We need the private sector because it’s important in every society to help to build a developing country,” the savvy Management guru postulated.
It is on record that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited apart from it being lauded for being one of Sierra Leone’s biggest tax payers has on various occasions commended by many for its invaluable contributions towards building the country’s economy.
As a petroleum business entity, NP-SL is proud of having state of the art functioning filling stations in various parts of the country with branches vibrantly rendering various services in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia, all providing qualitative service delivery to its esteemed customers, having bagged prestigious awards and glowing accolades for effectiveness and efficiency in rolling out or marketing high grade fuel and other petroleum products as well as for its immense contributions to nation building.
This 100% indigenously-owned company has so far offered various jobs to residents in the afore-mentioned countries, thereby reducing poverty to a considerable level.
Without mincing the truth, NP has a capable and competent managerial team at the helm of affairs, which from time to time comes up with good initiatives, always ensuring that those initiatives are effusively, effectively implemented to create value for money.
The selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.
The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.
The company has earned a reputation for offering Sierra Leoneans affordable NP Gas cookers of various sizes, which are safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas cookers could be purchased at all their filling stations across the country and the very gas that is used is also sold for replenishment.
Another most important feature of NP-SL is its smart cards which customers can use to make transactions very easily and conveniently.
NP-SL by giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans is a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy. Utilizing local talents make it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through training courses that could be applicable in other places.
Since its establishment the company has been growing by leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the centrepiece that has propelled NP to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region. The synergy that runs through its members of staff has also contributed to the company’s growth.
As Kobi Walker summed it up, “A core aspect of the company’s operations is to positively contribute to the socio-economic development of the country and contribute to poverty alleviation.”
