By Amin Kef Sesay
Within the business landscape of this country, one outstanding indigenous company that has stood the test of time amidst intermittent teething challenges is undoubtedly the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd). Authoritatively, one can argue that indeed there are fewer indigenous companies that could be fairly compared with the leading oil marketing company in this country. In some cases, sustainability of certain indigenous companies was slaughtered on the altar of poor entrepreneurial initiatives, improper management styles and sheer bankruptcy, sending them into oblivion.
One area that the Shareholders and Management teams have successfully harnessed over the years has to do with maximizing customer care which is why NP-SL Ltd is synonymous with 1st for Customer Care. Both has long established that without treating the concerns and recommendations of their numerous customers and take them into consideration when taking important decisions bordering on the importation and marketing of various petroleum products, then obviously the company will head for doom.
In order to ensure that their customers derive value for money, it was thought prudent on the part of Shareholders and Management to make use of state of the art and highly modernized calibrated pumping machines which were installed at the company’s different Filling Stations capable of pumping the exact quantity of fuel, be it petrol or diesel, that a particular customer requested for.
This fine move by the company has helped instilled confidence among customers that they are really dealing with a very transparent business entity and getting what they are paying for. This singular business strategy has got many glued to a petroleum company that is considered to be marketing the best of petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas and high grade lubricants, one of which is the most sought out Castrol oil, said to be very good for the proper functioning of engines.
It is also on record that NP-SL Ltd has bagged wide commendations for introducing a system that makes the purchasing of fuel very simple and fast. Here we are talking of introducing NP Smart Card which has a memory chip that can store information. This card can be credited with money and the amount of money utilized to buy fuel is debited after every transaction. With the use of NP Smart Card, customers are saved the hassle of having to always move with physical cash in their possession in order to purchase fuel and indeed there are times when one may not have time to rush to the bank to make withdrawals. Customers, who are holders and users of NP Smart Card, are at the vantage position to properly budget, through the amount that is contained in the card to buy fuel, during a considerable period of time, say a week or a month. Indeed, NP Smart Card has become trending.
The company also markets NP Gas which is a cooking device that is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at the company’s Filling Stations across the country. It can be easily refilled with gas, is said to be non-hazardous to the health of individuals and easy to operate. Its performance has been rated high and many are indeed going for it.
One yardstick that could be used to assess the potency and vibrancy of a company is how well it is entrenched or established. With regards NP-SL Ltd, one can actually see that the company, over the years, has grown by leaps and bounds as seen in its opening of branches in neighboring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. All these NP branches, within the sub-region, are functioning very efficiently and contributing immensely towards the socio-economic development of those host countries. Through their operations, the company is paying taxes to the various Governments and indirectly boosting the revenue bases of those countries to roll out different development programs.
An admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd has been exhibiting throughout the years is the proper implementation of the country’s Local Content Policy. This policy is geared towards giving preferential treatment to indigenes or making use of local ingredients , in the form of human and material resources, instead of depending on those that are acquired through importation.
The company has the laid down policy of giving preferential employment consideration to indigenes instead of relying on expatriates. As long as Sierra Leoneans have the requisite qualifications and skills they are first considered for various vacant positions in the company. The greatest advantage is that the policy has made it possible for indigenes to be gainfully employed and live improved standards of living.
From the foregoing, it could be argued with all amount of certainty that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a highly successful and very competitive petroleum company that continues to stand tall within the business landscape of this country. And from the look of things it is poised to reach further higher heights.
