By Abdulai Kargbo
During a crucial interview with the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Trade, the Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL), Kobi Walker, highlighted serious safety concerns regarding residents' proximity to the company’s terminals.
Addressing the Committee, Walker expressed his eagerness to discuss pressing issues facing NP-SL. He emphasized the importance of ensuring residents' safety surrounding NP-SL terminals, citing recent incidents in Guinea as cautionary tales that Sierra Leone should avoid.
One of the major challenges outlined by CEO Kobi Walker was the currency exchange predicament faced by NP-SL. He explained the difficulty of purchasing fuel in dollars and selling it in Leones, underscoring the complexities involved in maintaining stable operations. Walker acknowledged the support from key governmental bodies such as the Bank of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade, and the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) in acquiring dollars for fuel imports.
To promote gender diversity in the workforce, Walker 5 disclosed that over 42% of NP-SL’s employees are female. He attributed this statistic to the company’s belief in the capability of women in the industry and disclosed his advocacy for the “HE for SHE” initiative, which aims to support women in various sectors.
In his concluding remarks, Walker stressed the necessity for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to ensure the safety of NP-SL terminals and uninterrupted petroleum flow in the country. He reiterated that NP-SL terminals are not residential areas, emphasizing the rarity of such proximity in Western nations.
The CEO’s remarks underscored the urgency of proactive measures to address safety concerns at NP-SL terminals and the importance of gender inclusivity in the workforce amidst the company's challenges in the volatile fuel market.
Commentaires