NPRA VOWS FAIR FUEL, STRONG INVESTMENT, AND ACCOUNTABILITYDG BRIMA BALUWA KOROMA BRIEFS PARLIAMENT ON THE FUTURE OF SIERRA LEONE’S PETROLEUM SECTOR

By David K.Fengai

The Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Brima Baluwa Koroma, has briefed Parliament’s Committee on Trade and Industry on recent developments in Sierra Leone’s downstream petroleum sector following the committee’s oversight summons of the NPRA and Oil Marketing Companies.

Appearing before lawmakers, Koroma outlined the NPRA’s mandate under the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority Act, 2025, emphasizing the Authority’s central role in regulating a safe, competitive, and efficient petroleum industry.

He told the Committee that the NPRA is focused on balancing the interests of consumers, industry operators, and the Government through three core priorities: fair fuel pricing, investment promotion, and revenue generation.

Koroma explained that fair pricing mechanisms are critical to protecting households and businesses from price shocks while ensuring OMCs remain viable. On investment, he said the new regulatory framework is designed to attract both local and foreign capital into storage, distribution, and retail infrastructure to improve supply security nationwide. He also highlighted revenue generation as key to supporting government development programs.

The Director General assured Parliament that the NPRA is strengthening monitoring, compliance, and transparency across the downstream value chain. He noted that regular engagements with OMCs will continue to address supply challenges, quality control, and safety standards at depots and filling stations.

Members of the Committee welcomed the briefing and urged the NPRA to sustain its oversight role to guarantee affordable, reliable, and safe petroleum products for all Sierra Leoneans.

With the 2025 Act now in force, the NPRA says it is moving to build a petroleum sector that is resilient, investor-friendly, and responsive to the needs of the people.