The Native Consortium and Research Center has issued a press release in response to the Petroleum Regulatory Agency’s (PRA) recent statements regarding the ongoing fuel crisis in Sierra Leone.

In their statement, the Consortium condemns the PRA’s attempt to justify the fuel crisis by blaming hoarders. They argue that the PRA is well aware of the true culprits – the oil marketing companies (OMCs) – who are deliberately creating artificial scarcity to drive up prices.

The Consortium calls on President Bio’s government to take decisive action against the OMCs and create a new breed of oil marketers who will prioritize the needs of consumers. They warn that the current situation if left unchecked, will bring the government to a grinding halt.

The Release Reads, “Firstly, the Native Consortium totally condemns the attempted coup and we call for speedy investigation. The Consortium has serious concern over the more than one week queues and the lackluster approach from the Petroleum Regulatory Authority (PRA) to address this crisis.

“The Consortium wants to maintain that there is no need for any price hike because the two major drivers like global price is going down, and the exchange rate is relatively stable. However, we appreciate and wish the PRA will maintain the no price hike stance. 

“The reason stated by the PRA for the queues is inexcusable and a misplaced damage control. Even the new born baby knows that this is the usual tactics created by the very Importers to suffocate consumers and subdue Government for a price  hike. This pattern had become a cyclical pattern which is as old as Noah and the ark. The PRA is warning notorious hoarders when the notorious hoarders are the very importers named in their Press Release dated today. These Importers or Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) regulate the Dealers like father and son. They give the dealers instructions to close their stations and create the hoarding of fuel. So, I wonder why PRA is making a threat to  hoarders as if Hoarders  are hidden on planet Jupiter. 

“The way out is H.E. President Bio should seek to cure the sickness and not the symptoms of the illness. That is the only way to put an end to this monthly cycle of man-made scarcity which will come back in the first half of 2024. 

“We urge President Bio’s Government to help create a new breed of oil marketers or else this cadre of oil marketers will bring the government to a grinding halt.”