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The National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) has held a meeting with the Sierra Leone Petroleum Transportation Association and petroleum dealers to strengthen collaboration and ensure strict adherence to industry regulations for the coming year.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Director General Evangelist Alfred M. Kobba on behalf of the Director General, focused on two key areas: Licensing and Inspection, and Engineering and Quality Assurance.
In his opening remarks, Kobba stated the engagement was overdue and aimed at identifying and addressing potential irregularities before the new year to ensure collective progress and sector stability. He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to enforcing regulations to prevent challenges that could jeopardize the industry.
Director of Licensing and Inspection, Mr. Jayah K. Muana, outlined the NPRA’s mandate to oversee, license, regulate, and monitor all petroleum activities in the country, from importation to retail. He stressed that compliance with safety and operational standards is non-negotiable.
“The petroleum sector is hazardous, vulnerable, and unpredictable,” Muana said. “For these reasons, the Authority does not compromise on compliance or safety.” He urged dealers to modernize safety measures at their stations, warning of increased vigilance in 2026.
The Deputy Director of Engineering and Quality Assurance, Ing. Alusine Barrie, clarified the requirements for different types of stations. He explained that a standard filling station requires at least two plots of land, while a service station with additional amenities like a car wash or mini-mart requires three plots.
Speaking on behalf of the dealers, the Secretary General of the Petroleum Union, Mr. Mohamed Sillah, appealed for consideration toward frequent violators. He requested that the NPRA provide a list of defaulters to allow the union to engage them internally before stricter enforcement begins in the new year.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from both sides to maintain dialogue to ensure a stable and compliant downstream petroleum sector.
