By Amin Kef Sesay
The commissioning of the first ultra- modern petrol station in the post-war Kailahun district took place on Saturday 11th July 2020 during a well -attended programme that attracted personalities from various walks of life.
The programme was evident of the leading petroleum marketing company’s, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, commitment to make their products and services accessible to all. The aforementioned Filling Station is situated in Luawa Chiefdom in the Kailahun District named after the owner’s nickname, British NP.
In his address, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, (NP SL-Ltd), Kobi Walker assured residents of Kailahun district that with this new fuel station in the district the issue of fuel shortage will be a thing of the past.
He said since 1952 when the marketing of fuel started in Sierra Leone so many companies have come and gone but NP-SL still remains firm and is doing exceptionally well in the importation and marketing of petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, gas and lubricants of which the most widely used is Castrol to its numerous and esteemed customers in different parts of the country.
Kobi Walker disclosed that in two years NP-SL paid 782 Billion Leones as taxes to the Government of Sierra Leone which shows that with the empowerment the company is getting from Sierra Leoneans through the purchase of their products they are also giving back to society through job creation, payment of taxes to the Government and also empowering other Sierra Leoneans.
He said with this new filling station in their district such will not only make fuel available for them at all times but would provide jobs as well. He thanked the Kai Kai family for believing in the mission and vision of NP-SL which, he said, prompted them to partner with them.
Resident Minister East, Hon. Andrew Ansu Fartoma, expressed appreciation to the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, (NP-SL Ltd) for the construction of the newly filling station in Kailahun, adding that this has changed the face of the district.
He said such an investment is not only important but timely for the people of Kailahun, furthering that there had been constraints in securing fuel especially in time of crisis and that with the construction of this filling station in the district it will reduce those constraints.
He also encouraged members of the public to see this investment as their own also stating that in that regard they should be watchdogs for NP-SL.
Paramount Chief, Hon. Mohamed Banya, applauded NP-SL for the construction of the filling station, adding that there have been negative issues relating to the accessibility of fuel in the district but said he is with the strong belief that with this new fuel station those will be things of the past.
He thanked the Proprietor Mr. Navo Kaikai and his wife for the brilliant initiative in bringing development to their district.
Proprietor of the British NP-SL Gas Station, Hon. Navo Kaikai extended appreciation to the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, NP (SL-Ltd) for honouring their partnership.
He disclosed that they spent over 1.7 Billion Leones in the construction of the filling station which she said will serve the people of Kailahun and beyond.
Former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Morie Lengor Esq, Chairman of the Kailahun District Development (KAIDDA) also delivered a statement profoundly commending the Management of NP-SL Ltd as well as the Proprietor for what he described as a move in the right direction.
