By Amin Kef Sesay
The National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd) recently demonstrated that it is really the parent body of all its subsidiary branches in neighbouring Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia when it timely responded to a request in order to assuage the fuel crisis that recently engulfed the sister country of Liberia.
The fuel scarcity that hit Liberia in recent times was so acute that it affected every segment of that country. In order to ameliorate the negative impact such has impinged on that country for three weeks running, the Liberian Government stepped in by providing free buses for students, civil servants and later extended it to cover everyone.
To make the situation even worse was when certain individuals started hoarding fuel which was compounded by raids mounted by the Government to nab the hoarders invariably leading to making the product very expensive as the price shoot up.
Caught in this tight and difficult situation, the Government of Liberia contacted officials of NP-Sierra Leone via the Government of Sierra Leone to see how best all can collaborate to find a temporary solution to the fuel crisis. It was agreed that Sierra Leone will supply 2000 metric tons of gasoline to Liberia. The supply was made in record time. As we go to Press, the fuel situation in that country has been partly addressed as the relevant authorities in that country are making frantic moves to normalise the anomaly.
When this medium went into action and sounded the views of members of the public to know their take on this latest development, what came out clearly is that this was a fine move on the part of NP-SL Ltd most commending the company for coming to the aid of a sister country in time of dire need.
It is worthy to note that NP-Liberia is not the only petroleum company operating in that country and besides the market forces work differently which is why a shortage may occur in one country and in another country it is available despite the presence of branches of the same company, for example, NP-Sierra Leone and NP-Liberia.
One good thing about the National Petroleum Company is that it is always on top of situation with regards the importation of fuel.
Another outstanding attribute that the company is renowned for is that the calibrated pumping machines used in all its Filling Stations are guaranteed to be of high standard having the capability of showing the exact and correct quantity of petrol, diesel or kerosene that is discharged and displays the exact price a buyer should pay. It was a conscious move on the part of the shareholders to install such modern high tech calibrated pumping machines within the context of giving optimal satisfaction to its numerous and esteemed customers, as well as operate in a very transparent manner that continues to instil confidence that they are dealing with a trusted business partner.
The National Petroleum Limited is a very caring company that most people depend on to secure high quality petroleum products. It is on record that its customers have not complained of any unfair treatment. It is an entity that has been making steady headway and progress within the business landscape of the country. Through sheer hard work, selflessness on the part of its shareholders and competent managerial prowess, the company has sketched a good name within the petroleum business landscape, especially for its qualitative service delivery. The shareholders and Managers of the company, therefore, cannot just see things done haphazardly that have the propensity of staining its hard-won reputation and sit idly back.
What has been discerned of late is that there are certain individuals who have taken upon themselves to disingenuously spew baseless castigation against the company bordering on propagating the falsehood that its pump attendants are criminally defrauding its customers by pumping less of the quantity that unsuspecting customers purchase at different Filling Stations. Coming across such an allegation this medium, known for championing human interest issues, went into swift action and undertook a thorough undercover investigation to ascertain its veracity.
Various Filling Stations in the country were targeted, but at the end of the day, what came out glaringly was that the allegation is totally untrue, baseless and unfounded, as there is no semblance of truth in it.
As for the National Petroleum company, complaints of pumping attendants cheating customers have not been heard for a long time although according to one of the company’s Managers one cannot rule out having bad eggs within its workforce. However, he assured that all their pump attendants are well trained in the aspect of effective service delivery and they are well informed not to get themselves involved in any untoward behaviour that will bring the name of the company into disrepute. Against such a backdrop, coupled with the fact that they are well motivated in terms of remuneration and other conditions of service such employees would not be so foolhardy to do anything messy.
As a caring parent who loves to see his or her children get the best in life so is NP- Ltd, which, besides limiting itself only to selling petroleum products, is also availing its customers other services just to make life comfortable for them. It is along such a line that one could find mini-marts, entertainment corners in some of its Filling Stations, where customers could purchase basic items, avoiding the hassle of leaving other engagements to procure those goods.
NP Gas is exclusively marketed by the company and its authorized agents in different parts of the country and they are manufactured in different cylinder sizes sold at affordable prices. Because of it being environmentally friendly, less hazardous and very quick in terms of performance, NP Gas is going like hot cakes, especially as they are sold at affordable prices.
NP Smart Card is now gaining ascendancy and currency among its numerous customers across the country and has been rated as advantageous in terms of personal safety and transparency. It is good for big business entities, like construction companies, with fleets of vehicles as the Smart Cards that the drivers use to access fuel supply can transparently prove what was expended and what is now left as balance in their stock.
The company’s Corporate Social Responsibility portfolio is indeed very rich and it has been meaningfully rolled out over the years and they are really complementing Government’s development interventions.
Bailing out Liberia of its fuel crisis speaks volume of a company that is geared towards making affordable petroleum products an always possibility in order to prevent individuals from going through undue hardship.
