The Chief Executive Officer of NP SL [Ltd] Ambassador Kobi Walker has described the Petroleum Company as arguably the most capitalized Sierra Leonean company.
He made the said statement on Tuesday 25th April 2023 in a Media Launch with a cross-section of Journalists at the Company’s head office, Siaka Steven Street Freetown.
Dr. Williette James, Gibril Saccoh, CEO, Ambassador Kobi Walker, and others were among the Key Management staff that were part of the auspicious occasion.
Explaining the rationale behind the program, The CEO stated that they intended to update journalists about who they are because they noticed some gaps in several articles about them and hopefully they are trying to fill that gap. He confirmed that the second part of the ceremony was to launch the Maiden Edition of the NP Zone magazine.
The Chief Executive Officer of NP, Ambassador Kobi-Walker thanked Journalists and staff for honoring their invitation. He confirmed that NP has enjoyed a great relationship with the media though there are times when the media do positive and negative reporting about them. However, he affirmed that when people do things that are not correct, journalists call them out and they believe it should always be permanent interest, not permanent friends or enemies. He added that the interest should always be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
“The truth about NP, over 40 years ago,35 Sierra Leoneans decided to forgo their severance benefit to forming a company that the government of Sierra Leone was about to sell under the Privatization Laws. These 35 staffs were adamant and determined. They have the capacity and capabilities to run this company. It was advertised internationally and big boys applied but where there is fortitude, where there is divine the present Head of state His Excellency, Dr. Julius Maada Bio in his infinite wisdom decided that those 35 guys should be allowed to own NP and today that vision saw NP in 5 countries in the Sub-Region, the only Sierra Leonean Company outside Sierra Leone. We are in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Guinea, The Gambia and of course in Sierra Leone,” he said.
The CEO further pointed out that 40 years down the line, NP enjoys over 60% market shares, arguably the most capitalized institution in Sierra Leone with a recent investment of over $30m to rehabilitate the finest and most sophisticated terminal in this part of the world.
He encapsulated that today NP has 46 stations owned by the company and they have forged strategic Alliances and Partnerships with over 200 retail outlets all over the country and they currently supply over 80% of Ministries, Department and Agencies.
He added that NP can boast of being the preferred supplier to virtually all the diplomatic missions in Sierra Leone and as if that is not enough NP is also on the trajectory of becoming the first company that will automate and digitize sales as they move towards cashless transactions and solutions.
Launching the NP Zone Magazine, Mr. Morris Cole and Aminata Kamara, Cooperate director from Rutile were given the honor to launch the Maiden Edition of the in-house Magazine.
Cole stated that he has been part of the family and has given 100% to NP despite the competition. As he left 5 and a half years ago, he pointed out that this is his first time coming into the NP building. He thanked the CEO for this opportunity and for inviting him.
He commended the management and staff for what they have done. He justifies his commendation for the CEO because those who were before him didn’t think of having a magazine and a lot of work they had done is not on record, Contrary to their actions, he revealed that what the CEO did now is to make sure things that are done are recorded for posterity and public knowledge. He added that people will know the efforts NP is putting into this economy.