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The Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) has announced an immediate suspension of all new applications for the construction of gas stations in the Western Area and along the entire Freetown-Masiaka Highway.
This decision comes as part of a broader regulatory effort to curb the rise of unauthorized gas stations, which have increasingly violated suitability guidelines, safety policies, and engaged in unfair trade practices.
According to a statement released by the PRA, no new applications for gas station construction in the specified areas will be accepted until further notice. The Agency emphasized that this measure is critical to maintaining safety standards and ensuring that all petroleum retail outlets operate within the legal and regulatory framework
In addition to halting new applications, the PRA has ordered an immediate cessation of all ongoing construction of unregistered gas stations in the affected regions. Any construction activities that are being carried out without the necessary approvals and permits will be deemed illegal, with the Agency warning that such violations will attract strict enforcement actions.
“This policy aims to prevent the uncontrolled proliferation of gas stations that do not meet the required suitability and safety standards. We urge all construction firms, oil suppliers, and dealers to adhere strictly to these directives,” the PRA statement read.
The Agency also issued a stern warning to operators of unregistered and unlicensed gas stations, stating that continued non-compliance will result in severe penalties, including the potential closure of such facilities.
This move is expected to impact several ongoing projects and has sparked conversations among stakeholders in the petroleum industry. The PRA, however, maintains that the enforcement of these regulations is necessary to safeguard public safety and ensure a fair competitive environment in the fuel retail sector.
This does not make sense. If there are illegal, unauthorised stations, take them down if they are not worthy and if they are, offer the owners an opportunity to get into compliance, but stopping new construction for the reason given seems bogus. Sure, if incestors are just blindly putting up stations and are not in tune with market reality, then too many gas stations, too much competition, is not good for the owners, but that is their problem, not the PRAs. I don’t understand why the government would do this. We need businesses, we need jobs.