By Amin Kef Sesay
The proper functioning of any vehicle largely depends on how well it is handled which requires routine maintenance. However, maintenance alone cannot do the magic as there is the need to get the right engine oil to lubricate the vehicle’s engine and get rid of unwanted particles that may clog it leading to mechanical failure.
Castrol GTX is particularly a well-known lubricant in Sierra Leone amongst motorists and commercial users. It has been attested that it is a well-recognized product amongst consumers since the Castrol brand is about passion, excitement and performance.
It is the strong conviction of Management of NP-SL Ltd that brand awareness and product visibility are key drivers in any marketing institution and therefore as part of its marketing activity plan, activation of those drivers is paramount.
Again, it is in that regard that high street stores and NP forecourts will be sale points to create brand awareness and visibility.
In order to continue to popularize the brand, the Management of the company deemed it fit to avail its esteemed customers the opportunity to combine business with pleasure in February this year.
Management decided that starting this February, the company will activate a loyalty promotion as one of its activities by offering its esteemed customers the chance to win different prizes.
From the starting of the month, every time a customer buys a 5L Castrol GTX, he or she, will have a chance to dip and draw from a container filled with hidden prizes in the form of a folded slips.
Indeed, it must be reiterated that each time customers buy 5L Castrol engine oil they will dip their hands in a container and then draw folded slips. The customers will open the slips and reveal prizes or a ‘sorry buy more GTX’ on the slip.
The categories of the draw are as follows: GTX 25W50 = 1 dip & draw, GTX 20W50 = 2 dips & draw, GTX DIESEL = 2 dips & draw.
After revealing the prizes the customers will leave their details and shall be contacted by the Lubricants Sales Supervisor of NP-SL Ltd.
The Lubricants Sales Supervisor will in turn notify the winners and they will pick up their prizes at the office.
Customers who do not win prizes will be compensated with Castrol GTX bumper stickers or keyrings. This is to keep the customers loyal and identify themselves with the premium brand.
The compensation is as follows: GTX 25W50 = 1 sticker, GTX 20W50 = 1 sticker & 1 keyring, GTX DIESEL = 2 stickers & 1 keyring.
It must be known that the promotion and offers will run for a three-week period in this year, 2021.
The promotional items are: Led Light, Normal cap, Funnels, Lip balm, Keyring, Sticker, Desk Clock, Flask, File and Mug.
Indisputably, in this country, the most outstanding and widely recognized petroleum entity that is doing well within the business landscape of this country is indisputably the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd). The company has gained both internal and international recognition for its efficient service delivery to its many esteemed customers. It is therefore no big surprise for the well-established company to be bagging commendations, accolades and awards from reputable institutions in and out of the country.
One thing which has made NP-SL Ltd to stand tall among other entities hinges on putting premium on effective customer care delivery. The company is highly distinguished for being 1st for Customer Care, as it strives to give optimal satisfaction to its esteemed customers right across the country.
In all its petroleum transactions the company does so transparently as it has modern calibrated machines at all its Filling Stations which are highly capable of pumping and displaying the exact quantity of fuel demanded for, be it petrol or diesel, as well as the price. This gives buyers the feeling that they are not cheated when purchasing fuel.
In the same direction, the company has good, up and running tanker vehicles which transport fuel from the fuel depot to the various Filling Stations everywhere in the country. Maintenance is always done on these vehicles to ensure that they are road worthy; something which the Management of the company takes very serious. The importance of regularly doing so is to really ensure that petroleum products are timely delivered to various parts of the country in order to prevent the occurrence of any form of shortage that may affect daily activities and lives.
A company that was established by thirty-five (35) Sierra Leoneans years back, it was made a laid down policy by the Shareholders and Management that special preference must be given to indigenes who have the requisite qualifications in terms of job opportunities. Interestingly, this decision is in tandem with the country’s Local Content Policy which aims at making use of our local resources, both human and material, instead of depending on external resources. This has made it possible for indigenes,who were hitherto unemployed, to now be gainfully employed and be at vantage positions to take care of individual responsibilities. With all amount of justification it could be said that NP-SL is a very caring business entity.
The company has set the pace of expanding its operations in the West African sub-region by establishing branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and the Gambia where they are effectively marketing petroleum products. By doing so it is providing job opportunities for locals in those countries and by extension regularly paying taxes to the Governments of those countries which are used to fund different development projects.
This bold step undertaken by the company demonstrates a serious entity that is taking business to a higher pedestal.
NP-SL is very notable for making available NP Smart Card and introducing NP Gas. In this modern age when efforts are being made to operate cashless societies and going digital there is no other moment than this when transactions in petroleum products should not follow suit. With the NP Smart Card, a particular customer could purchase fuel via using the card, just stating the quantity required which is debited from the amount in the card.
The customer can credit it again in order to make future purchases. The biggest advantage is that a customer can properly schedule or budget for the amount of fuel he or she will need over time, meaning that he or she has saved the headache of having to raise cash for the sole purpose of fuelling his or her vehicle. Using the card makes it less time consuming to buy fuel and prevents the movement of physical cash which maybe a customer could use for another emerging need or the cash could be stolen. NP Smart Card is now trending and many are now going for it.
With NP Gas, the cooking needs of individuals are easily solved as it is quick in terms of performance as a cooker. Environmentalists have validated its safety in terms of less emission of dangerous gases and it is manufactured in different cylinder sizes, very portable and easily refilled by purchasing gas at the company’s Filling Stations or its authorized dealers.
With all amount of justification, NP-SL is a thriving company despite the myriad challenges it is surmounting. The company is indeed a true development partner that is positively contributing to the socio-economic development of individuals, entities and the country as a whole.
