The National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited has been rated as a business entity that is first in terms of customer care. Dealing in various petroleum products, the company has been widely acclaimed for the cordial, smart and efficient manner in how it is treating its numerous customers in different parts of the country.
The company has become very endearing simply because their dedicated staffs are trained to respond to the needs of customers. Giving satisfaction to customers forms a cardinal objective of NP and from what was learnt it has been maximizing that very well.
It is on record that certain Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and private institutions have Memoranda of Understanding with NP bordering on supplying their vehicles fuel and payment made later. This hire purchase agreement is a true manifestation of how the company is geared towards being customer friendly and it is a business strategy that has helped in the areas of increased capital base and expansion.
NP-SL has been lauded for its strict adherence to business principles and ethics which has contributed to catapulting it to the enviable position that now occupies.
Investigations mounted revealed that one of the secret behind the success of NP-SL is the fact that the entity has been blessed with successive capable Management teams that have been injecting fine initiatives that are yielding fruitful dividends.
NP has a rich and interesting historical background worthy of note. Narration reveals that the former British Petroleum (BP) Company decided to sell its shares to the Government of Sierra Leone that was in existence at that time.
In 1996 the Government sold its 60% shares in BP to some of the company’s members of staff. 55 % was paid upfront from the end of service benefits of the workers from BP and the 5% offered to all the other workers. Thus a new company known as LEONEOIL started operations.
It was the World Bank that proffered advice for the privatization of the company. The 55% sale of Government shares to NP therefore came as a result of the World Bank’s admonition. 4 companies took part in the bid, but it was LEONOIL that won the international competitive bidding that was conducted by Arthur De Little (a United States based Management consultancy firm). LEONEOIL later on metamorphosed into NP, meeting all the set criteria.
It was understood that the members of staff were very serious and capable enough to properly manage the company to such an extent that, unlike others, it survived most of the challenges that it had encountered.
It was learnt that the 40% PMMC’s stake in the company, owned by the late Jamil Sahid Mohammed and Tony Yazbeck, was given as collateral for a loan from a Bank by one of the parties.
Jamil Sahid Mohammed, later sold to Cape Oil PMMC’s 40% shares to offset a fidelity loan, but LEONE OIL was not satisfied with that move and took the matter to court on the grounds that it was in violation of the M and A, which dictates that the other side has the first option to buy. The outcome of the matter was that the High Court gave judgement in favour of LEONE OIL.
Certain people are saying that NP is eclipsing other companies in the petroleum market in the country, but such is a falsehood, as it was ascertained that there are other Companies marketing petroleum products that are registered with the Petroleum Agency.
Another thing worthy of consideration is that Petro-Leone is a storage company that was established by both Addax and Leone Oil (NP) so that petroleum products will always be available in the country and avert shortage.
The company so far has provided job opportunities for many individuals both in this country and Liberia.
NP undoubtedly continues to heighten its customer care and it has become the darling of many.
