GM Kobi Waulker, Director Alhaji Abdul Rahman and
Kamanda Bongay by his side
National Petroleum (NP) Company Sierra Leone yesterday donated millions of Leones worth of water tanks, bore hole, generator and generator house to National Fire Force (NFF) at AJ Momoh Street.
Addressing members of NFF, the General Manager of NP, Kobi Waulker, said the role of the National Fire Force in saving lives and properties cannot be over emphasized. He said it is also a known fact that the National Fire Force is challenged with accessing dependable sources of water especially in greater Freetown to support their firefighting mandates and activities. Waulker averred that they are aware that the gallant fire fighters are however bedeviled by a plethora of challenges in the execution of their core functions as the first responders to emergencies.
“Water, we know, is life and indeed water we also know is an essential tool used in combating the conflagration of fire that has the potential to destroy life and property. With a target population of approximately 3 million lives residing in greater Freetown, we need a Force that is lean and mean, combat-ready with the necessary wherewithal for prompt and effective disaster response management.”
“Also, as a responsible corporate institution we often pick the brains of officers in the National Fire Force for training and development for our safety and firefighting skills and requirements. This is a partnership that is truly enduring, rewarding and mutually beneficial to all parties.”
He furthered that to strengthen this enviable relationship, NP SL (Ltd) is therefore compelled by necessity to avail the National Fire Force much needed logistical support to help improve their invaluable service to our society.
“To this end, we are elated to inform all gathered here today that NP SL Ltd is providing to the National Fire Force, four water storage tanks with a capacity of 10,000 litres each. The effect of this is such that a minimum of four fire engines will be on standby with 40,000 litres of water at any given point in time for prompt response to emergencies.”
In addition Waulker said they have also constructed a bore hole on the premises of the Force using latest technology to ensure the constant availability of water at all times. “As if this is not enough, we are also providing an electronic pumping machine and a brand new 9KVA generator for the supply of power to the water facility.”
The General Manager averred that this will add tremendous value to the execution of the Force’s sacred duty of combating fire outbreaks in the Municipality. “I want to reassure all that NP SL (Ltd) will continue to play a dominant role in the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone and the wellbeing of all Sierra Leoneans.”
The Chief Fire Officer, Kamanda Bongay, thanked the board and general manager of NP and said he was happy that the project has been completed. He said they will make sure it serves its purpose and they will maintain it properly so that NP will come again to help them.
Officially handing over the facilities to NFF the board chairman of NP, Ivan Carroll said they are happy to have made these donations but called on NFF to take good care of the facility so that whenever the pay a visit to the NFF they will be happy and want to do more for them.
Mohamed Polo Tarawally of Polo Construction did an excellent job and he said the project lasted for six months because along the way there were changes in the design. He said the cost runs into millions of Leones and the management and board of NP were very satisfied of what his company did.
Thursday November 16, 2017.