By Amin Kef Sesay
Sierra Leone’s leading petroleum importer and marketer, the National Petroleum Limited, NP (SL-Ltd) is robustly moving to roll out cogent initiatives that will give the general public the most qualitative petroleum products as well as services they do desire.
The company’s competent and razor-shape managerial think tank, currently headed by its indefatigable General Manager, Kobi Walker, in tandem with the result-oriented Board of Directors, have always endeavored to be at the pinnacle of affairs within the petroleum landscape, looking at best options, in order for effective service delivery to be executed timely, excellently all geared towards the public good. If there is any outstanding feature for which the company is identified with then it is customer satisfaction which is why it has earned the reputation as ‘1st for Customer Care’.
Prioritizing customer care is considered very paramount out of the strong conviction that the company will be nowhere without its cherished customers.
It is against this backdrop that, just recently, one of its refurbished filing stations at Blackhall Road in the East End of Freetown was commissioned on 25th September 2019.
During a snap but very soul-touching event, it was succinctly made clear by Kobi Walker that the company is here to serve humanity furthering how within their reach they will do all that is possible to ensure that their customers are given the best of services that they have to offer.
Judging from the statements of representatives of the Bike Riders and Motor Drivers’ Unions during the commissioning ceremony, what came out vividly was that they are very appreciative of what the company had been doing making it possible for them to access high grade petroleum products such as diesel, petrol, kerosene, gas as well as lubricants like Castrol, all very good for vehicles, bikes, Kekehs and machines.
In its drive to optimize customer satisfaction the company went the extra mile to install calibrated pumping machines which are not only modern but trustworthy, as opposed to old pumping machines which certain unscrupulous individuals used to cheat unassuming customers. This is helping to repose confidence in customers that they are dealing with a very transparent entity. The friendliness of their pump attendants is very impressive and they are always there to timely respond to various concerns.
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 supplied fuel and lubricants 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 honoring 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 required financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA). The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited is 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.
