By Amin Kef Sesay
The National Petroleum – Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has bagged widespread commendations from various quarters in and out of the country for its unwavering stance and commitment to be on top of situation in terms of importation and marketing of various petroleum products including fuel and lubricants.
Since its establishment by 35 Sierra Leoneans years back, the shareholders and various management teams have infused and implemented sound entrepreneurial initiatives that have contributed greatly towards the growth of such an enterprising business entity.
One of those fine initiatives relates to taking Customer Care to a higher pedestal out of the strong conviction that without giving utmost satisfaction to customers in the line of efficient service delivery then growth will be stunted. Against this backdrop, it was decided to create a conducive atmosphere for business transactions by building state of the art Filling Stations right across the country and installing modern calibrated pumping machines. These stations are so attractive and contribute to woo many to the company in order to procure petrol, diesel, gas and lubricants, all assured to be of high quality.
Added to that, the mere fact that these automated calibrated pumping machines are capable of churning out the exact amount of fuel requested for and simultaneously displaying the prices as per litre always gives customers the ultimate satisfaction that they are getting their monies’ worth.
In a country that has been for a very long time grappling with the issue of high unemployment rate, especially among young people and having a company like NP-SL Ltd that has as a laid down policy to give employment preference to Sierra Leoneans is no mean feat. Strictly adhering to the country’s Local Content Policy, the Shareholders and Management are very firm in foremost considering indigenes when it comes to offering of jobs unless in rare situations where the need arises to source expatriates to undertake or perform certain tasks.
Inasmuch as it has been agreed that it is not only Government that should have the onus to provide jobs for its citizens, for a private business entity like NP-SL Ltd to firmly implement the Local Content Policy is indeed commendable. This is because by offering jobs to indigenes, who were formerly unemployed, speaks volumes as it has helped greatly to improve lives and give the feeling to beneficiaries that they are very relevant in their contributions towards the country’s development trajectory.
With the avowed aim of making cooking very safe and easier for many, again the Shareholders as well as the Management, thought it very prudent to introduce the use of NP Gas. It is a cooking device that can be refilled with gas that could be bought at the company’s Filling Stations, has been confirmed to be environmentally friendly with high performance precision. Many whom this news medium interviewed with regards NP Gas attested that it is very good to have at home. As at this material moment it has been confirmed that NP Gas is going like spicy hamburgers. However, assurances were given that they will be made available at all times at the company’s Filling Stations and could also be secured from its authorized dealers.
Modern States are now striving to operate cashless transactions one of which includes purchasing goods online, using our smart phones to conduct business activities. As a company that moves with time, NP-SL Ltd thought it fit that to make the purchase of fuel quite easier then its esteemed customers should be given the opportunity to do so by making use of NP Smart Card. This is a chip card which has a physical authorization device that controls access to resources. When credited with money it can be activated whenever a customer wants to purchase fuel at a Filling Station and the required amount to be expended is stated. The amount used will give the exact amount of fuel requested for. When the amount gets low then it could again be credited for use at another point in time.
NP Smart Card gives the user personal security as the data implanted in the card is unique to the holder and could not be easily hacked or fabricated. It also makes provision to properly budget for the purpose of fuel purchase in the sense that a particular customer could load his card in advance of the stipulated amount of fuel he may wish to secure at a later date. Besides, it gives the holder an air of importance within the context of popular perception that it is only the “big guys” that can venture into putting in for NP Smart Cards. But that perception is just a mere myth as NP Smart Card has become trending and many are enjoying the benefits associated with the use of it.
Within the realm of rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility the company has never faltered as long as it is believed such is in the best interest of improving lives and deepening socio-economic development. With such a strong business ethic and principle, the company recently donated the sum of one billion Leones to the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) and by extension the Government of Sierra Leone as its own humble contribution to build up fortification against the spread of COVID-19.
The company also, towards the end of last year, spent millions of Leones to construct a state of the art water facility at the Kissy Branch of the National Fire Force (NFF) in order to well capacitate the institution to access water to be used for the extinguishing of fire within Greater Freetown. With accessing of water becoming very difficult, especially during the rainy season, for the NFF to have such a water facility constructed for it by NP-SL Ltd has been interpreted by many as a big boost.
With vibrant and well-structured branches in neighboring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia, it tells the good story that indeed NP-SL Ltd is a serious company that is very determined to expand its investment base or portfolio. It is a testament of a successful indigenous that is continuously growing.
Indeed, it can be said with all amount of certainty that NP-SL Ltd is a towering business entity that is improving economies, lives and giving hope to many.
