By Amin Kef (Ranger)
It is a well established fact that NP (SL) Ltd is indeed an epitome of astute and admirable indigenous entrepreneurship which over the years has made commendable strides in modernizing petroleum marketing in the country with a view to ensure greater accessibility to petroleum products in order to give utmost satisfaction to its numerous customers across the country.
From a humble beginning, the company has turned out to be a truly successful business entity that is positively contributing towards overall national development in various ways.
With a capable Board of Directors and Management at the helm of affairs, NP(SL) Ltd has immensely contributed positively in the areas of job creation, timely payment of taxes to Government via the National Revenue Authority (NRA) as well as the steady and meaningfully execution of meaningful projects in fulfillment of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Exclusively owned by private Sierra Leonean shareholders, the company typifies a real testimony of how local entrepreneurs could raise the bar high in the marketing of petroleum products.
For mischievous reasons, certain individuals have been churning out rumours that NP has an undue monopoly over the petroleum market in the country, an assertion which is totally untrue, baseless and misleading as it has been factually proven that there are other Marketing Companies marketing petroleum products that are approved the Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Equally so, the company is not politically owned and therefore is in no position to use its attained marketing status to exert untoward influence on political issues as it is owned by private Sierra Leoneans who used their end of service benefits to set up the company.
To make the purchase of fuel very simple NP (SL) Ltd introduced the NP Smart Card, which enables organizations and individuals to purchase fuel at ease without using physical cash. By introducing this latest technology, it avails its customers the convenience of conducting smooth transactions at Filling Stations as long there is credit in the NP Smart Cards.
If there is any company that strictly adheres to the Local Content Policy that entity is indisputably NP (SL) Ltd. The Management always ensures, as a matter of policy, to give employment to only Sierra Leonean nationals. It is the same in all the other countries where the company operates.
Adherence to Local Content helps to reduce cost, instill a sense of ownership and improves competencies. Such could be well harnessed for the successful growth and expansion of any business entity.
Still within the realm of local content, the company manufactures a cooking device known as NP Gas which comes in different sizes. It has been proven to be a very good device which can be refilled with gas that could be secured at any NP Filling Station.
It has been established that using charcoal and wood for cooking purposes poses health hazards and leads to depletion of forests. Against such a backdrop many have commended the company for making it possible to get access to NP gas cookers, which are indeed safe and friendly for domestic use. Gas is as well available at the company’s filling stations which individuals can purchase at affordable prices.
The fact remains indisputable that the successes of the company are outcomes of the timely implementation of incisive ,innovative and sound entrepreneurial initiatives.
