The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Trade and Industry has inspected the Aminata and Sons (SL) Limited, Conex Energy, Eco Energy and the National Petroleum (NP) Terminals in Freetown on June 18, 2024.
The Chairperson for the committee, Honourable Veronica Kadie Sesay, stated that their visit is a key oversight priority assigned by the House of Parliament to ensure Oil Marketers Companies (OMCs) are adhering to the importation, distribution, transportation and retailing of petroleum products with a fair and competitive business atmosphere.
Honourable Sesay appealed to OMCs to maintain mutual and collaborative business synergies to improve the Downstream Petroleum Sector, ensure consistent fuel supply, and provide quality service delivery in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer of Aminata and Sons (SL) Limited, Mr. Mohamed Turay, expressed gratitude for the committee’s engagement and assured their fullest support in boosting the fuel industry.
Highlighting NP’s success story, CEO Saidu Mansaray explained their achievements, digital transformations and innovations to break barriers in the sector and end fuel scarcity. However, he mentioned challenges with forex, poor road network and makeshift establishments near the terminal, urging the committee to address these concerns with the appropriate authorities.
Aminata Petroleum and its supplier, Trafigura rescue Sierra Leone with 5,000 Metric Tons of Gasoline
Freetown, Sierra Leone, May 23, 2024 – In the midst of the current fuel crisis in the country, Mr. Mohammad Turay, the Chief Executive Officer of Aminata & Sons (SL) Limited in Sierra Leone, has told journalists that his company has brought in over 5,000 metric tons of gasoline (petrol) to address the looming fuel shortage. He made this known to a cross-section of journalists on Thursday, May 23, at Aminata’s Head Office in Clinetown, Freetown.
“This is a critical moment, and we are stepping up by diverting a gasoline vessel designated for Liberia and Togo in order to salvage the looming gasoline scarcity in Sierra Leone. This is not solely for profit making but to render service to the people of Sierra Leone” – says Mr. Turay. The company’s CEO, Mr. Turay further noted that this is not the first time they have intervened in crisis periods, as Aminata & Sons, Inc., the parent company in Liberia has done so on numerous occasions for the people of Liberia.
Furthermore, Mr. Turay stated that his company is expecting another 4,000 metric tons of diesel on a vessel named MT Meronas to be discharged at the Aminata Clinetown Storage Terminal during the weekend to continue salvaging the fuel crisis in the country.
“At Aminata, we are here to stay and make our customers, resellers, and dealers happy by supplying premium quality petroleum products and outstanding service” – said Mr. Turay. He extended his appreciation to regulators (PRA) in the petroleum industry for creating a competitive business atmosphere in Sierra Leone and providing a fair ground for foreign investment to thrive.
Aminata & Sons (SL) Limited is committed to delivering high-quality petroleum products with excellent service delivery to the people of Sierra Leone. The company is primarily involved in the importation, distribution, and sales of petroleum products on the Liberian market and now in Sierra Leone. AMINATA caters to the petroleum products needs of private individuals, government agencies, non-governmental agencies, multinational firms, and other companies across their business operations.
A New Era in Sierra Leone’s Petroleum Industry as Aminata & Sons (SL) LTD Sets New Standards in Importing Premium Diesel in Sierra Leone
In a groundbreaking development for Sierra Leone’s petroleum sector, Aminata Petroleum, the Sierra Leone branch of a renowned, oldest-serving, and the biggest petroleum provider in Liberia, is poised to revolutionize the industry by establishing new benchmarks. On March 15, 2024, the company welcomed its inaugural vessel, the TORM ASTRID, at Queen Elizabeth II Quay, marking the commencement of Aminata Petroeum’s operations in Sierra Leone. This strategic move underscores the company’s dedication to delivering premium oil products and exceptional services, positioning it as a key player in the regional oil market.
This milestone arrives at a pivotal moment as Sierra Leone experiences growth in its extractive industry, attracting international investors and striving for economic prosperity.
AMINATA’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality petroleum products and services has earned accolades from key stakeholders, solidifying its position as a significant player in the market.
As Sierra Leone progresses towards sustainable development and enhanced transparency in the extractive sector, AMINATA Petroleum is introducing innovation and excellence, heralding a new chapter in the country’s petroleum industry.
The Sierra Leone Standards Bureau granted AMINATA a Certificate of Clearance on March 15, 2024, allowing the company to officially commence the importation of premium petroleum products into the country. This clearance signifies that the company has met all the necessary Petroleum Product Quality Tests, ensuring the products meet the required standards for importation into Sierra Leone.
AMINATA is dedicated to supplying the Sierra Leonean market with premium diesel quality, reflecting the company’s longstanding reputation for excellence in the petroleum industry.
Mohammed S. Turay, AMINATA’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to impacting the economy positively by establishing storage facilities in Clinetown. He assured the public of consistent and efficient distribution of petroleum products across the country.
With a recent import of over 2000 metric tons of refined diesel, specifically the 10ppm variant, Aminata Petroleum is set to enhance the quality of diesel available in Sierra Leone. This high-quality diesel is expected to prolong the lifespan of machinery and equipment, significantly reducing maintenance costs.
AMINATA will supply independently owned filling stations, multinational corporations, public and private SMEs, including mining, manufacturing, construction companies, banks, hotels, NGOs, and other SMEs, contributing to a competitive and diverse market. As part of its short-term strategic plan, AMINATA will expand its operations to include gasoline tanks in Kissy by the end of April 2024, enabling the importation of both diesel and gasoline. The company aims to venture into importing Jet Fuel, Heavy Fuel Oil, Lubricants, and more in the near future.
AMINATA’s business operations will create job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans and promote healthy competition within the petroleum industry, with 95% of its current staff being Sierra Leonean, as highlighted by Mr. Mohammed Turay, the company’s Chief Executive Officer.
After recent intensified works, the company is on the verge to complete the installation of its modern loading gantry at the Cline Town Terminal in Freetown. The gantry will feature a Four (4) way loading positions, loading tanker trucks at the same time powers by electric centrifugal pumps with the capacity of pumping 166,000 liter or 44,000 gallons of petroleum products per hour. The gantry expected to load approximately 1,332,320 liters or 352,000 gallons or 1,147 metric tons (minimum) for 8 hrs-working day. This number will double if the when the terminal works double shift. The gantry will also feature online modern sophisticated equipment such as: Electric meters and microlaod, pressure indicator and relief valves, explosion proof devise, and online loading transaction view and printout etc…
The Storage Tanks
The depot currently has two storage tanks, each tank holding capacity is approximate 5 million liters or 4,300 metric tons. The tanks have been revamped and protected by bund walls (spillage containment) holding about 15% of the tank capacity in the event of spillage. The tanks will feature electronic tanks gauging system that will allow reading of the tanks gauge remotely from anywhere. The hydrostatic test is outstanding as we strive to source the city water to supply the tanks.
The Cargo Lines
There will be two cargo lines running straight from the port jetty where the vessels discharge the imported petroleum products to the terminal tanks. One line for in-coming imported cargo and the second for exporting cargo. This implies that the terminal will be able to receive from vessels and deliver to vessels offshore as well – each tank is designed for products in-take and delivery to the gantry and pump backwards with the support of our high-power products pumps.
Due to the heavy down pour of rains in the rainy season, the contractors experienced delay in the civil works on site. Starting October 2022, the engineers will be working day and night to ensure the site is ready for operations by end of December 2022.
Operations Office and Utility Building
The terminal will feature a two-stories building for the terminal operators: terminal manager, guagers, inspectors, health safety officers, dispatchers, stock analysts, record room etc… and utility building for: the products and fire pumps, control room, power generator and panel room etc…
Kissy Terminal
Thanks to the country Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mohammed Turay and Baord Chairman, Mr. Siaka Toure, Aminata Sierra Leone has completed all agreements with the Government of Sierra Leone and Conex Energy (SL) Limited to renovate and exclusively manage and operate Kissy tanks 2 and 8 (Approximately) 5,000 metric tons capacity each for the storage and distribute of its petroleum products – Gasoline and Diesel. The company has procured all materials and equipment needed for the renovation of the tanks and has reached an agreement AEMS SARL, a Guinean Terminal Construction Firm for the rehabilitation of the Kissy Tanks. The rehabilitation works are expected to commence in November 2022 as soon as the materials and equipment are delivered to Freetown.
Aminata Sierra Leone is striving to serve its customers throughout Sierra Leone better and for that we are constructing our filing station outlets right across the country which will feature the most recent efficient pumping machines and a standard minimarket for an urgent onsite shopping needs. The company is rolling out its first sets of filing stations across Sierra Leone. We are happy to introduce our Kerry Town filing station site around the Peninsula Highway.
Aminata Sierra Leone is actively completing its extra-modern fuel storage facility at Cline Town. Once completed, the company will boast of one of the best petroleum storage terminal in the country. The facility will include Two storage tanks which will store 10,000 tons of its imported Diesel. This cannot be achieved without the abled efforts of the CEO, Mr. Mohamed S. Turay, and the construction team including the Engineers.
As the company observes all environmental impacts issues on its surroundings, Aminata Sierra Leone receives its Environmental Impact license from the Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone (EPA). This came in after the company completed its Environmental Impact public disclosure at Cline Town where it is refurbishing its extra-modern petroleum terminal. The event was graced by a cross section of Aminata Sierra Leone management, members of the Environmental Protection Agency, constituency member of parliament, councilor, chief, youth organizations, the media, and residents of the Cline Town community and its surroundings. The event was climaxed with questions from the stakeholders and community members which were clearly clarified by the company. The community was happy to receive Aminata Sierra Leone’s operations in their community while the company pledged to work closely with the community and provide the necessary corporate social responsibility as may arise from time to time.
As the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) Sierra Leone is making the downstream petroleum sector of Sierra Leone a compelling place to invest, Aminata Sierra Leone gets its provisional petroleum license to enable the company starts operations in the importation of petroleum products in the downstream petroleum sector of Sierra Leone having completed the fundamental requirements set out by the agency.
Gabriel began his employment with Aminata as a Pump Attendant from 2007-2011. His hardwork and trustworthy character allowed him to advance to Station Supervisor from 2011-2012. It is in this capacity that Gbomie truly stood out amongst his peers and was quickly promoted to Station Manager and has served this role since 2012, causing our new Duport Road Station, opened in 2015, to exceed volume expectations in less than three months.
Truly inspirational is the story of Kawala, who started his career at Aminata as an Office Assistant in 2006 while attending the University of Liberia in pursuit of an Accounting degree. During this time, he also served as a Dispatch Officer. After completing his degree, Kawala applied for the position of Accountant and was well received, serving in the Coupons department from 2010-2012. He was later transferred to the Accounts department and has since served as one of the company’s Accountants since 2012 with several core responsibilities emanating from his office.
