By Amin Kef Sesay
One of the most successful business entities currently operating within the country is indisputably the National Petroleum – Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) which has been rated as excellently doing very well in terms of importation and marketing of high grade petroleum products. Without any iota of exaggeration, the immense contributions that the company is making towards the socio-economic transformation of personal lives as well to the overall development of the country cannot in anyway be overemphasized. The company has made it possible for many who were hitherto jobless to now be gainfully employed having various sources, according to their job descriptions, of deriving income which are utilized to take care of personal responsibilities and welfare.
What is so outstanding about the company is the fact that it places premium on giving preference to Sierra Leoneans in terms of employment, a posture that is in sync with the country’s Local Content Policy. It is on record that the 100% indigenous owned company employs almost 100% Sierra Leoneans as employees.
It is important to note that under the current Local Content Act, industrial, manufacturing, mining, petroleum, services (legal, financial and insurance), agriculture and agro-business, transportation (road, maritime and aviation), hotel and tourism, public works/construction, energy and health have been identified as key areas covered by the Act to enhance sustainable socio-economic growth. Investors are supposed to be employing Sierra Leoneans in managerial and lower level positions as required by the Act thereby increasing job opportunities in the country.
NP-SL, by giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans, is a clear indication of a company that is utilizing local talents thus making it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills.
The National Petroleum Company is of course one of the largest taxpayers to the Government of Sierra Leone and those taxes paid are beefing up the public revenue base from which various development programmes are funded. Through its corporate social responsibility, the company over the years has done a lot of good things nationally thereby complementing the development interventions of the Government. It was in fulfilment of such that NP-SL Ltd decided, late last year, to avail the National Fire Force (NFF), Kissy Branch, with a state of art water facility, costing millions of Leones from which water could be sourced to carry out its fire extinguishing activities within Greater Freetown. As a matter of fact it was the second time that the company has provided such a significant facility for the NFF which by all estimation is very much important for such a vital institution.
It is on record that other significant development assistances had been provided by the company and if they are to be mentioned here then there will be little space here to catalogue all of them but the bottom line is that the company is really on top of situation when it comes to rolling out its corporate social responsibility which it is doing impressively.
One notable thing for which the company has been identified is its effectiveness in maximizing customer care for which it has proudly bagged the accolade, 1st For Customer Care. The shareholders of the company as well as Management at all times deem their numerous customers as very important because without them there will be no NP-SL Ltd. In line with this realization, the company imports high grade petroleum products which can best give its numerous esteemed customers utmost satisfaction.
Equally too, all transactions are done transparently devoid of any form of underhand games very evident in the use of modern calibrated pumping machines at its Filling Stations which always give customers the satisfaction that indeed they are deriving value for money. These pumping machines display the quantity of fuel pumped as well as the prices, making transactions very much transparent.
To make transactions also simpler, the company went ahead to introduce what is now becoming vogue, the use of NP Smart Card. With this device a particular customer could purchase fuel, either petrol or diesel, without using physical cash. The use of the card is very advantageous for big companies, such as those that are involved in the manufacturing industry as it would be very difficult for drivers to cheat as it exhibits exactly what has been deducted and what is left. From what this medium learnt, more and more people are now using NP Smart Card.
NP Gas is a device that is gaining currency and a household name in the country. It is manufactured in different cylinder sizes, said to be environmental friendly and easy to refill. This cooking device is very easy to manage and could be accessed at all the company’s Filling Stations and from authorized dealers. Feedback from those who have long since be using NP Gas stated that indeed it is worth acquiring it for domestic use.
It can be safely concluded that NP-SL Ltd is indeed tremendously and very meaningfully contributing towards individual and overall national development.
