With lots of discontent over the state of the economy and the biting hardship suffered by the. masses, the additional burden of another possible fuel price hike has the tendency to mitigate against President Bio’s Second Term bid.

Many Sierra Leoneans are of the view that the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) and the Ministry of Trade are both responsible for the current hardship in the country, as they have been blamed for not putting in place policies that will alleviate the suffering of the masses. It is understood that when the pump price of fuel rises, it has a rippling effect on the economy, as foodstuffs and the prices of other commodities also see a significant increase. This situation has its toll on the lives of citizens, especially as there is not a commensurate increase in salary of workers.

The price of fuel has increased considerably over the period, allegedly, because of the war in Ukraine, but other factors have been identified as contributing to this situation. Oil Marketing Companies have laid the blame squarely on the exchange rate, which they say is very high, as well as the aspect of buying

foreign exchange in the black market. However, in spite of this situation, many believe that the PRA had reneged on its duty to ensure that adequate fuel is available in the country, as well as regulation of its price in line with neighbouring countries. Many OMCs buy fuel from Guinea at reasonable prices and sell them in Sierra Leone at high prices. The fact that this happens in the country, is due to the negligence or complicity of the PRA. What is plain is that when the price of fuel is increased, dealers curtail the sale of fuel, with the aim of making profit, even when it is clear that the products in their stocks were bought at the prevailing price before the increase. However, when the price of fuel decreases, these same dealers refuse to sell at the prescribed price for a considerable time, but could be seen selling their old stock to black market dealers, thereby making profit again.

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The failure of the PRA to come down hard on those hoarding fuel during such moments has been the reason for the deliberate of the fuel by the dealers. This situation is the taken advantage of by commercial drivers, who invariably increase the fares, which results in an exponential increase in the prices of commodities across the board. The effect of this situation on the masses is that it results in more hardship on the people, as the ordinary man finds it very difficult to make ends meet.

Such a situation has created frustration and discontent over the apparent failure of the government to address the needs of the people, and alleviate their suffering. As this situation continues, the second term bid of President Bio could well be a pipe dream, as even those who voted for him 2018 may be having second thoughts about his ability to make their lives better which had been his slogan it is therefore not surprising that even his ardent supporters in his party’s stronghold have been very reluctant to register to vote in the coming elections, as they have not benefited from his government, especially in his promise to change their lives for the better. The prices of goods, especially foodstuffs, are very high, cost of living is dislocating families as husbands are finding it hard to control their wives, and many have lost respect in their respective families.

This situation has not been helped by the Trade Ministry, which has been unable to introduce policies that will control the prices of commodities in the market as the traders seem to be having a field day, selling at whatever price they want Goods produced in the country now go for higher prices than imported ones. For instance, the price of palm oil, pepper, groundnut vegetables (plasas), locally produced country rice etc have risen exponentially, creating more hardship on the ordinary man. These basic commodities are the bread and butter issues that Sierra Leoneans are particular about, and the government has not been able to address them.