Prominent legal practitioner and public commentator Basita Michael has called on the Sierra Leonean government to lead by example in reducing operational expenses, criticizing the use of massive official convoys as citizens grapple with rising fuel costs.

While acknowledging the government’s recent efforts to partially subsidize fuel price increments, Michael noted that the optics of extravagant government travel undermine the administration’s message of economic resilience.

“The temporary steps taken by the government to cushion rising fuel costs are commendable,” Michael stated in a public comment. “But convoys observed to run into over 20 SUVs send the wrong message at a time like this. Respectfully, easing the burden must begin at State House.”

Michael’s remarks come on the heels of a new fuel price hike announced by the Government of Sierra Leone on April 2, 2026. Citing global market pressures, the government confirmed that petrol prices have increased to NLe35 per litre, while diesel jumped to NLe40 per litre. This follows earlier price spikes in January 2026, compounding the financial strain on households, businesses, and the public transport sector.

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To mitigate the immediate impact of the April increment, the government intervened with a temporary subsidy. Authorities noted that without state intervention, the actual market pump prices would have hit NLe36.10 for petrol and NLe44.26 for diesel. The government absorbed the difference, setting the subsidized rates of NLe35 and NLe40 for the period between April 2 and April 15, while it engages with oil marketing companies to explore further relief options.

Basita’s critique taps into a longstanding public grievance over the size and cost of official convoys. In March 2025, a vehicle in President Bio’s convoy was reported to have struck and killed three young men on a motorcycle near Masiaka, with eyewitnesses alleging that the vehicle did not stop .

Criticism over luxury vehicle spending has also come from within the entertainment industry. In September 2025, renowned radio presenter DJ Base urged the government to reconsider spending on luxury SUVs for ministers, describing such expenditures as “wasteful and unnecessary”. He suggested that if he were President, he would replace ministers’ expensive SUVs with simpler, more affordable cars .

In January 2026, opposition politician Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray publicly criticized President Bio over an alleged Le2 billion (approximately US$90,000) Toyota V8 Land Cruiser SUV reportedly gifted to SLPP Chairman Batilo Songa amid widespread economic hardship.

Basita’s remarks come as the government faces competing pressures: responding to a global energy crisis while managing public expectations amid economic hardship. Sierra Leone’s fuel prices remain among the highest in Africa, with petrol at approximately $1.448 per litre as of February 2026, ranking sixth on the continent.

Chief Economist at the Ministry of Finance, Alimamy Bangura, has acknowledged that the global energy crisis has significantly impacted government revenue projections, with import volumes declining and public expenditure increasing.

Basita’s call for belt-tightening at State House reflects growing public sentiment that fiscal discipline must be demonstrated from the top down if citizens are to accept the pain of rising fuel costs.

As of the time of this report, State House had not issued a response to Basita’s comments.