By Amin Kef Sesay
As lack of access to petroleum products has debilitating effects on residents in different parts of the country there are certain oil marketing companies that are very keen on making it feasible for residents in hard to reach areas to access petroleum products.
One of such companies is the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) which, over the years, has done extremely well in the direction of making it possible for their products and services to be accessible all across the country.
During a well-attended ceremony, on the 11th September, 2021 the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) commissioned another ultra-modern NP Filling Station at Mattru Jong within Bonthe District, Southern Sierra Leone.
In his opening statement, as Chairman of the event, Councilor Joseph Silvalie disclosed that as a result of the poor road network within the district residents have been experiencing acute shortage of petroleum products but expressed hope that with the timely intervention of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL) the narrative will change as the company will be extending its services to residents of Mattru Jong and even make job opportunities available for them.
He highlighted how in most cases some people dishonestly create artificial fuel scarcity in the district but expressed optimism that the Management of the new NP-SL outlet will not be a party to that menace but rather will work towards ensuring that their products and services are accessible to all even during times of crisis.
Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chief, the Town Chief of Mattru Jong, Edna Tucker, expressed appreciation to the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited for the construction of the new Filling Station in Mattru Jong, adding that fuel scarcity had been a big challenge for them in that part of the country but said with the commissioning of the new Filling Station they are of the strong conviction that those challenges will become things of the past.
The Proprietor and Dealer of the new NP Mattru Jong Filling Station, Mustapha Kallon, expressed his delight for partnering with the National Petroleum (SL) Limited and commended the efforts of the company’s Management for giving him the support from the commencement of the construction work up to its completion.
The Proprietor disclosed that at present the new Filling Station has created job opportunities for residents of Mattru Jong and beyond noting that it will also address the problem of fuel crisis in Mattru Jong.
He intimated further that there had been constraints in securing fuel in that part of the country especially during times of crisis stating that it was that lacuna which gave him the impetus to establish the new Filling Station assuring residents that with the commissioning of the Filling Station such will become a thing of the past.
Mustapha Kallon said the facility has the capacity of storing over 60,000 litres which, according to him, is enough to ward off the prevailing fuel crisis in the township and its environs and called on residents to take ownership of the property which he stated has the potential of creating job opportunities for them.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of NP-SL Limited, Kobi Walker, maintained that the company remains committed to ensuring that petroleum products are easily accessible to residents in Mattru Jong and the entire Bonthe district and at the same time making sure that employment opportunities are provided.
He assured residents that they will never have to travel 52 miles again to procure petroleum products in Bo City, adding that the commissioning of the new Filling Station in Mattru Jong is part of the company’s effort to optimize customer care, make their products and services available to residents at their doorsteps.
The CEO pointed out how the company always imports qualitative petroleum products including petrol, diesel, gas, lubricants among which is the popular Castrol Oil that is widely used for the good functioning of engines.
Kobi Walker encouraged all to do business with NP-SL as the empowerment that the company is receiving from Sierra Leoneans through the purchase of their products is what they are giving back to society through job creation, and also empowering other Sierra Leoneans of which he said the commissioning of the Filling Station is a clear manifestation that the company is very committed towards the empowerment of every Sierra Leonean.
Francis Benjamin Lamin, a bike Rider within Mattru Jong applauded NP-SL for the commissioning of the Filling Station in Mattru Jong, stating that as bike riders they had been faced with a lot of constraints in securing fuel furthering that they had to go as far as Bo District, which is 52 miles away from Mattru Jong, just to secure fuel but said with this new NP-SL Filling Station it will surely address those fuel constraints experienced by residents of Mattru Jong and its environs.
The event was climaxed by the cutting of the tape by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, (NP SL-Ltd), Kobi Walker, the Chairman of the event, Councilor Joseph Silvalie, the Town Chief of Mattru Jong, Edna Tucker.
