Resident Minister Gbessay JJ Ngobeh of the Eastern Region took proactive steps to address the recent closure of several fuel stations in Kenema City, resulting in long queues and artificial scarcity.

Summoning stakeholders to his Maxwell Khobe Street office, the Minister expressed concerns over stations closing and selling exclusively to black marketers, causing significant inconvenience to citizens.

Vowing to investigate, Minister Ngobeh, accompanied by a diverse team including police, media, civil society representatives, and regulatory agency officials, conducted spot checks at various fuel stations.

At Conex Stations, they discovered rationed sales due to uncertainty about restocking.

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Emphasizing patriotism and citizens’ interests, the Minister urged dealers to prioritize selling fuel to customers, highlighting the repercussions of scarcity on transport fares and market prices. He assured the public of the government’s commitment to their welfare and fuel availability.

Civil Society Representative Augustine Sannoh reminded dealers of their responsibility towards citizens, emphasizing collaboration with the government for citizens’ welfare. The Vice Chairman of the Dealers Association, Umaru M. Jalloh, pledged cooperation once supplies resumed.

The Regional Coordinator of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency, Kenson Brima, lauded the Minister’s timely intervention, assuring fuel availability at the terminal and acknowledging seasonal demand variations.

The Minister’s swift action and engagement with stakeholders underscored the government’s dedication to resolving fuel scarcity issues, reassuring citizens of a concerted effort to safeguard their interests.