By Amin Kef Sesay
As part of continuous efforts in taking the lead in the downstream sector by ensuring that its petroleum products are accessible across the country even within remote communities, the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has on the 19th September, 2021 unveiled a modern Filling Station in Koidu City, Kono District.
The aforementioned Filling Station is situated at Congo Bridge, Koidu City, Tankoro Chiefdom, Kono District named after the nickname of the owner of the facility, “Mortayorma” to as NP Mortayorma Kono Filling Station.
During the unveiling ceremony, it was clearly made known to all that the Filling Station is expected to commence sales within 72 hours, as the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau was supposed to do the calibration of the equipment, including the pumping machines, before they can commence sales.
The Proprietor of NP Mortayorma Kono, Aiah Boya, in his statement, revealed that his establishment has a diesel capacity of 40,000 litres, whilst the petrol is 45,000 litres which he said will able to address the issue of fuel crisis in the district and its environs.
He extended gratitude to the community stakeholders of Kono District for their support since the start of the project on to its completion stating that he is gratified that they stood by him, adding that after residing in the United States of America for sometime he then decided to invest in his country as a way of giving back to society.
Aiah Boya also expressed appreciation to her wife, Mrs. Koya and the Chief Executive Officer of NP-SL Ltd, Kobi Walker and the entire Management of the company for their tireless support in ensuring that the establishment of the Filling Station becomes a success story.
He promised not to engage in the hoarding of fuel in order to create artificial scarcity describing such an act as dishonesty and cheating.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, (NP SL-Ltd), Kobi Walker, assured residents of Kono District that with the new NP-SL Filling Station the issue of fuel shortage will become a thing of the past.
He reiterated that the new Filling Station will not only make fuel available for them at all times but will also provide job opportunities for some residents as well, of which he said the company believes in empowering local entrepreneurs to thrive in business ventures who will then in turn contribute meaningfully to nation building.
Kobi Walker also informed the gathering that NP Mortayorma Kono will not only sell fuel but all their products like NP-SL Gas, NP-SL Castrol Oil etc. and also encouraged all to see NP-SL as their own pointing out that the company is owned by Sierra Leoneans.
He used the opportunity to inform residents that as a law abiding company the Filling Station is expected to commence sales within 72 hours.
The District Monitoring Officer for the Petroleum Regulatory Agency in Kono, Mamadi ‘Baghdad’ Kamara said PRA will always ensure that there is constant availability and supply of good petroleum products and also warned against fuel hoarding.
The Hon. Paramount Chief of Sandor, Kono District, Sheku Fasuluku Sonsiama III, also commended the Proprietor of NP Mortayorma Kono, Aiah Boya for taking the initiative to bring such a development to their district.
He called on other descendants of the district to emulate the footprint of the Proprietor and further encouraged residents to take ownership of the new Filling Station by patronizing with him.
A bike rider in Kono District, Yusuf Kamara, applauded the Proprietor of NP Mortayorma Kono, Aiah Boya and NP-SL Ltd for commissioning the Filling Station in Kono District, noting that as` bike riders they were faced with a lot of constraints in securing fuel especially during critical times but said with this new NP-SL Filling Station it will surely address those fuel constraints in their locality.
The event was climaxed by the pouring of libation followed by the unveiling of the new Filling Station by the Proprietor of NP Mortayorma Kono, Aiah Boya, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, (NP SL-Ltd), Kobi Walker, the District Monitoring Officer of PRA in Kono, Mamadi ‘Baghdad’ Kamara and representatives from the community.
