August 25, 2015 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
Airtel has launched a new marketing customer service facility called “kiosks for customers convenience”, comprising mini shops that will be installed within communities to serve the needs of their customers, according to Sales and Distribution Director, Linford Roy-Macaulay, who also encouraged women, especially Ebola survivors, to serve as the sales agents at the kiosks.
Mr. Roy-Macaulay was speaking yesterday at the official launch of the Airtel kiosks at their Rawdon Street shop and asserted that the launch of the kiosks would help enhance service to their customers across the country.
He said Airtel was seeking utmost convenience for its subscribes, thus the decision to launch the Airtel Kiosks, a project he said was aimed at expanding the company’s distribution services by ensuring that their products and services reach customers in the easiest and simplest way possible.
He said the kiosks will effectively serve all zones as the unique and innovative model would drive effective distribution of their products to the width and depth of Freetown and Lungi.
He revealed that about 150 kiosks would be deployed in the Freetown commercial business centre and Lungi zone, adding that Airtel franchisee partners – Balani and Zain – will help in the distribution.
He said the kiosks would be used for selling recharge cards, SIM cards and to promote the transaction of Airtel Money, adding that some 1000 kiosks would be deployed across the country.
“This is an open business to all members of the public; everybody is allowed to apply for the kiosks, but we are encouraging more the Ebola virus survivors and people with disability to come up and we shall give them priority,” he said and added that the kiosks would commence operation beginning 7 September.
Airtel franchisee and partner, H.L. Balani, said their job would ensure the effective operation of the kiosks and in that regard they would accept applications from members of the public, which would be scrutinized, with those who are qualify given the kiosks.
He said they would organise training for those selected to operate the kiosks prior to the handing over.
Also, Allieu Jawara, an Airtel retailer at Bottom Mango, Wilberforce, said Airtel Money has greatly improved business transaction within the country as they are now experiencing increased profit.
He said its transaction has helped reduce tension at banks around the country as many people now use the system, which is “the easiest, fastest and most reliable way to transfer money in the country”.