By Amin Kef Sesay
In a Press Release issued by the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) dated 29th March, 2022 it was categorically stated that the petroleum importing and marketing business entity cooperates and partners with Government in the supply of petroleum products and does not meddle in politics.
It continued that following recent social media communications in circulation relating to fuel shortage in the country, the Board of Directors of NP (SL) Limited (“NP”) and the Management of the company have considered it necessary to issue out a statement for the attention of the public and to set the records straight.
“Management would like the public to know that NP (SL) Limited is a wholly owned Sierra Leonean company that was privatized in 1996 pursuant to the recommendations of the World Bank,” it was added further maintaining that the company would also like the public to know that the current fuel situation in the country is due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, an event, it stated, being one of the impacts on the global supply chain of petroleum products because Russia supplies 56% of diesel that is consumed in Africa.
It was underscored that the shortage of fuel, including diesel, is therefore not created by any Oil Marketing Company in the country and went forward to indicate that it is also important for the public to know that Government is one of the biggest customers of NP and any experienced business entity can only endeavour to deliver good customer experience to its customers.
Also mentioned was that NP has indeed been cooperating and working in collaboration with Government especially as a partner with Government in the supply of petroleum products for the country.
The Board of Directors and Management revealed that as a matter of fact, petrol has been available in all NP stations throughout the country and NP has been selling products to members of the public during these challenging times.
They continued that it is true that there was a low stock of diesel, but pointed out that the company has managed that stock responsibly to ensure that the country does not run out of diesel completely adding how the company has also made fuel available to essential services including the key security services as well as the public during these challenging times.
Also included is that NP (SL) Limited would like to assure everyone, including its numerous customers, that it has just received a consignment of diesel that will soon be made available for the public to access.
The company expressed hope that unjustified sentiments expressed in social media communications will not expose the company to any risks maintaining how the company however has the firm conviction and assurance that Government will ensure that critical assets of the company and indeed of all Oil marketing companies are always protected.
Against that backdrop, the Board of Directors and Management reiterated that NP (SL) Limited has nothing to do with politics as the Shareholders and Management of the company are only keen on seeing their business grow from strength to strength and not to meddle in politics.
In a related development, the National Petroleum- Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), on the 27th March 2022 discharged over 6,000 metric tons of diesel at the company’s Petrol Jetty, where the vessel berthed by 1:00 PM, at the Kissy Terminal in the East End of Freetown.
Distribution of the diesel to the company’s numerous customers commenced by mid-day on Monday 28th March, 2022.
