A recent press release by the Native Consortium and Research Centre on the 22nd of November, 2022 condemned the huge artificial scarcity created in the principal provincial towns in different parts of the country.

The release described fuel scarcity as punishment to citizens, as it stands the country’s pump price of fuel remains the highest in the sub-region.

On the other hand, the release states that the Petroleum Regulatory Authority does not seems to be in control of the dealers but accepts the conspiracy of increasing fuel price at will

The release revealed that the pump price of fuel has increased to LE 21 per litre, which gives reasons for dealers in the provinces to only sell for an hour and close their stations, creating unnecessary artificial scarcity. This practice has resorted to selling through the black market in jerry cans for LE 25 to Le 30 per litre.

Speaking to the Executive Director of Native Consortium, Edmond Abu Jr said the PRA lacks the moral fortitude to control the Petroleum sector. If they are not put under check it will end up sabotaging the rights of citizens and the government. He said there is no justification for the recent increment in fuel prices in the country and this has affected the livelihood of citizens.

He added this practice is unusual. and that within the subregion such an increment in fuel prices is not happening, therefore, he demanded that an immediate investigation should be put in place. Abu said an increment in fuel prices should not hinge on the U.S. dollar rate as presently world market on barrel prices is at 89 U.S. dollars which means that the price is dropping gradually.

He concluded by calling on the government to take swift action as this issue is becoming challenging for Sierra Leoneans.

While the Public Relations Officer for Petroleum Regulation Agency, Lansana Forna said the responsibility of the Agency is to monitor and regulate the petroleum sector, and it is not the duty of the Agency to control or dictate how or when they should sell fuel to the public.

He added that it is not the Agency that owns the capital of the dealers nor are they the ones importing fuel for them.

He further added that the Agency is monitoring fuel sales in the black market as they have district monitoring officers all over the country, and they are keeping a tag on all activities of Fuel dealers