By Amin Kef Sesay
One of the most successful business entities that are seriously functioning in this country, the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited, continues to receive widespread commendations for its effective service delivery. However, despite the commendations that the company continues to receive for effective service delivery it does not however rest on its oars but rather is resilient and very determined to continue to do more in order to give optimal satisfaction to its numerous customers here in this country and in the West African Sub-Region in countries like Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.
Being a very successful petroleum entity, NP had and still continues to contribute tremendously towards overall national development.
This 100% indigenously-owned company has so far offered various jobs to residents in the afore-mentioned countries, thereby contributing to the reduction of poverty to a considerable level. This is also directly linked to it being one of the largest taxpayers to the National Revenue Authority (NRA), financially empowering the Government to roll out various development projects.
One of the most outstanding features that NP has is its competent managerial team, which from time to time comes up with good initiatives, always ensuring that they are effusively, effectively implemented to create value for money. Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the centrepiece that has propelled NP to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region.
If you ask those who really know NP, the feedbacks you will get will definitely rally around its commitment to customer care, which it strongly believes must be prioritized to give satisfaction.
It is in that regard that the company ensured that calibrated pumping machines were installed at its various Filling Stations. These calibrated machines pump the exact quantity of fuel that a customer demands. They give confidence to customers that they are transparently transacting with a reliable company and deriving value for money.
To make transactions very easier, in terms of purchasing fuel, the company introduced a new system, known as NP Smart card, which makes it possible for individuals to procure fuel without using physical cash. As long as the card is loaded, a customer can access fuel from the amount of money that is in the card. It is a modern and simplistic way of securing fuel and many have applauded the company for introducing it.
The selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country. That again is another lane that the company is pursuing with fruitful dividends realized.
NP has doggedly maintained a good business relationship with its numerous customers’ right within the sub-region and most have confessed that they are realizing optimum satisfaction in dealing with NP. The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying dividends, always resulting in a win-win scenario, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.
The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, Petroleum Directorate, has lauded NP for its efficient service delivery wherever it is operating.
The company is also known for offering Sierra Leoneans NP Gas cookers of various sizes, which are affordable, safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas could be purchased at all their filling stations across the country.
When we talk of the serious implementation of the Local Content Policy, NP stands out tall, as it is truly an indigenous company having most of its employees as indigenes in the countries it is operating. This is one of the pillars that have made the company to become a success story.
The company’s result-oriented managerial team will definitely and sustainably continue to put NP at the top.
Without any gainsaying, NP-SL Ltd is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.
