By Amin Kef Sesay
The National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is a very progressive company that has been in the petroleum business for quite a considerable period of time now and has etched its name as one that is satisfying the various petroleum needs of many. Many have commended the indigenous company, which was established years ago by 35 selfless Sierra Leoneans who decided to establish the entity that has over the years grown into becoming a dominant and towering business entity.
It is an indisputable fact that life will never be complete in the absence of petroleum products as its availability makes it possible for vehicles to be on the move, for individuals to go about their activities with some amount of ease and to transport materials of varied sorts from one place to another. The ways in which petroleum products are essential to mankind cannot be overemphasized especially when consideration is given to the fact that it can make and unmake any sitting Government.
This could be interpreted within the context of how citizens can angrily react whenever there is fuel scarcity in the country. We have witnessed instances in the past when citizens have gone berserk simply because of increases in transportation fares caused by an increase in the pump price of petroleum products to such an extent that the boiling anger could not be any longer restrained and individuals decided to register grievances by staging demonstrations.
To be frank enough, those were days that have gone by and it has been quite a while now since such ugly incidences surfaced.
The good thing is that NP-SL Ltd has been on top of situation as far as when we talk of the importation and marketing of petroleum products. As a matter of fact the Shareholders and Management of the sterling company place high premium on maximizing customer care which is why it has earned the accolade of 1st for Customer Care. As an independent business entity, devoid of any political affiliation, the primary focus of the company is to avail timely service delivery to its customers in a very efficient and transparent manner.
It was against such a backdrop that it was decided, on the part of the company to secure and install calibrated pumping machines that are very capable of pumping out the exact quantity of fuel a particular customer purchases at any of the company’s Filling Stations. The calibrated machines display the quantity requested for and the price(s). Operating in this kind of way, it has been proven through investigation, that the company always gives customers the utmost satisfaction that they are doing business with a trusted company. There has never been an instance when customers have cried foul that what they requested for was not exactly what was given to them.
Another good thing which the company has preserved over the years is enhancing the country’s Local Content Policy. This is a policy that is geared towards making maximum use of local talents and resources as long as they are relevant. The company has made it a laid down policy to give priority, in terms of offering job opportunities, to Sierra Leoneans instead of giving preference to foreigners. This policy has helped and is helping greatly towards reduction of unemployment and is contributing greatly towards improving standards of living. The company has never renege in this direction of giving unto Ceasar what is due to Ceasar as well as to all Dick, Jack, Harry and Mary.
As a company that cares for the felt needs of its customers and wanting them to get the best out of the rest, the shareholders and Management again thought it but very prudent to make available NP Gas which can only be compared to a microwave when it comes to its quickness in terms of performance. Manufactured in different cylinders, these cooking gadgets could be secured at affordable prices, the gas to refill them could be purchased at NP Filling Stations and as a result of good recommendations they are going like hot cakes. “Since I first started using NP Gas I have never regretted it because its performance is not only good but is in no way hazardous to human health when compared to using charcoal or wood. I will not at any time hesitate to recommend it to anyone,” Princess Cummings, a primary school head teacher intimated this medium.
NP Smart Card is one that has become very trending and has bagged the slogan of “Your fuel on your smart card.” When credited, in other words, loaded with money a particular customer could purchase fuel, be it petrol or diesel of any amount required, with NP Smart Card without bordering to use physical cash . Considering the fact that it is not at any given time that an individual has to run to the bank to make withdrawals, the NP Smart Card comes handy because with it there is the possibility to secure fuel. It is transparent, now in vogue and working very efficiently. To secure one is no big deal as a customer only needs to request it and fulfill the necessary procedures.
The vibrancy of NP-SL Ltd could be measured by the scope of its operations. One can say with all amount of certainty that NP-SL Ltd is a business entity that is worth its salt. Successfully, the company succeeded in establishing branches in neighboring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where its state or the art filling stations are operating vibrantly, having in their employ indigenes of those countries and paying taxes to the Governments, which are used to fund certain development programmes.
With some amount of justification, it can be said with all amount of certainty that NP-SL Ltd is a big blessing to this country. The company is an inevitable appendage to the country’s development component and its activities are contributing immensely towards progress in different forms.
