By Amin Kef-Ranger
In privileged conversations with Pump Attendants at various NP Filling or Gas Stations in different parts of the country what came out glaringly was that they have been groomed to always respond to genuine concerns of customers. They informed this medium that during certain instances they could address some of those concerns but if not then they must refer such to their senior colleagues or the Station Managers. They were unanimous in recognizing that the customer is presumably always right except otherwise when foul play is suspected. They all, also maintained that customer satisfaction must be guaranteed at all times because it is the customers that add value to their businesses.
The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd) is a petroleum importing and exporting company that has dominated the petroleum business landscape of this country for quite a long period of time now and it is still positioned to be at the forefront as far as marketing petroleum products is concerned.
When assessing privately owned business entities in this country, attributes such as efficiency and effectiveness in timely service delivery must come out vividly to facilitate successful business transactions.
With regards NP-SL Ltd, the company is renowned for its pro-active stance in always trying to optimize customer care, which the Shareholders, Board and Management hold in high esteem with the view that in the absence of its numerous customers then the company’s existence could become irrelevant.
As for the Shareholders and Management of the company, achieving customer satisfaction is very key which is why it does everything within its reach to give customers high grade petroleum products. Through its pro-activeness and the ultimate need to succeed, latest innovative and technological pumping machines were installed at various Filling Stations, one of which are calibrated pumping machines that pump the appropriate quantity of petroleum products paid for. As they are very transparent, these calibrated pumping machines continue to instil confidence in customers that they are dealing with a very transparent company as well as feeling that they are getting their money’s worth.
Within the same ambit of bringing technology closer to its customers for enhanced transactions, the idea of availing its customers the use of NP Smart Card was borne. Today we hear of “fuel on your smart card” which figuratively could be interpreted within the context of using a financially loaded NP Smart Card to purchase the right number of petroleum products one intends to utilize without any physical monetary transactions. Using NP Smart Card guarantees safety, saves time and gives air of importance to the holders, some considering them as the crème-de la crème of society, when in actual fact anyone can make use of it. It creates a situation where a customer will intermittently know the balance of finance on his card and use such information to make informed decisions as to further top up or utilize, for example, the quantity of fuel that the balance amount could procure.
With a view to make people gain easy access to a device that could be suitable for various cooking purposes, NP Gas was introduced and since gas is one of the petroleum products that is up for sale then it just falls in place that it will be prudent to make it convenient for people to access them at their filling stations and from authorized dealers, going at affordable prices. It had been undoubtedly proven that they are environmentally friendly and safe to use as well as refill.
When job opportunities are created from time to time, the negative impacts of poverty subside with a corresponding upsurge in peace and tranquillity. Instead of tempers rising, daggers drawn out there will be joy and harmonious co-existence. Through its expansionist drive and to match up with modern trends, NP-SL has been providing various jobs for many who were hitherto at the lower ends of society. Family lives have been transformed for the better and there is room for future positive outcomes.
As a matter of fact, NP-SL-Ltd has been recognized for being a company that has doggedly insisted on maintaining its indigenous posture. Its shareholders are all Sierra Leoneans and they put premium on maintaining an indigenous stance with majority of its staff being indigenes. The company is very mindful that with the implementation of the Local Content Policy it is positively contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. NP is committed to serve the people of this country.
Having branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia shows that indeed NP-SL Ltd is striving to become a multinational company. This is a big achievement which must be widely celebrated by many as it depicts seriousness and progress.
