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The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), in collaboration with the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), has ordered Leoneco Gas Company to immediately stop the illegal construction of a fuel station at 165 Regent Road, Malama, Lumley in Freetown.
During a risk assessment at the site on 24th September 2025, it was revealed that the project was being undertaken without the knowledge and approval of the NPRA. The evaluation further noted that the site is located in proximity to a primary school, posing significant risks to pupils, staff, and nearby residents.
Furthermore, the NPRA directed the company to stop construction with immediate effect, stating: “The construction of a fuel station without prior clearance constitutes a violation of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority Act and undermines public safety.”
Speaking on the issue, NDMA’s Director General, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Brima Sesay, stressed the Agency’s firm stance on disaster prevention, saying: “The safety of our people and communities cannot be compromised. No development project, especially one as high-risk as a fuel station, should go ahead without full regulatory approval and disaster risk considerations.”
The NDMA also said that the construction of fuel stations is a regulated activity requiring prior site inspection and suitability, environmental and safety clearances, and licensing before commencement. Bypassing these processes undermines disaster risk reduction efforts and exposes communities to severe dangers.
Both NDMA and NPRA reaffirm their commitment to continue monitoring the construction site to ensure full compliance with national laws, safeguard public safety, and prioritize disaster risk reduction.
However, there is also a growing concern on the clustering of fuel stations at one location. Critics have particularly referenced the newly constructed JMan fuel station on Adelaide Street, close to Kroo Town Road. The newly constructed fuel station is opposite Leoneco fuel station, leaving critics asking whether the construction of the new filling station is legal or rationale.
