In a bid to foster bilateral ties, the Sierra Leone Reporters’ Union (SLRU)a subsidiary of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) engaged the management of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) for a robust partnership and collaboration at the British Council Building, Tower Hill Office.
Welcoming the Sierra Leone Reporters’ Union (SLRU) on behalf of the Authority, the Director‑General of NPRA applauded the Union for the timely engagement and for recognizing the Authority’s invaluable contributions to the sector over the past six years. He noted that the petroleum industry is one of the most complex, ambiguous, and uncertain industries in the world. He added that, although the government normally subsidizes petroleum prices to cushion economic hardship, such relief is temporary and citizens often misunderstand the industry’s operational framework.
“When the market is stable, as it is now, the Authority continues to work hard, collaborating with key stakeholders to identify bottlenecks and alleviate them for consumers. One of our key mandates under the new Act is to ensure the availability of petroleum products in Sierra Leone. Since we are not currently producing oil, the price of petroleum products is beyond any government responsibility, but the government remains responsible for ensuring adequate supply and fair, transparent pricing nationwide. Normally, for citizens to be well‑informed of our operations, we engage media professionals for development journalism and progressive CSO outreaches to continue educating the public about our key mandates. Currently, the market price is higher than it is, but because of government intervention and specific mandates from His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, we have opened up the sector, brought in new players, and restored fairness and competitive confidence,” he said.
The Director‑General told SLRU that the Authority quarterly engages journalists, media professionals, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the latest developments within the industry, and that in December the Authority will meet with them to map out plans for the 2026 fiscal year, strengthening the Authority’s visibility on major gains. He also noted that there will be no fuel shortage in December this year, like the 2024 festive season.
On her part, SLRU President Yeanor Kabbia commended the leadership and management of NPRA for the warm reception, noting that DG Baluwa Koroma’s vision has been visible and inspiring. She highlighted his remarkable achievements as a testament to commitment, dedication, and determination, which have positioned the Authority as one of the most effective institutions under this administration.
Kabbia added that SLRU, which has existed for over two decades with more than six hundred members nationwide, will hold its maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) this weekend in Makeni. The AGM will focus on membership drive, adoption of a new constitution, and advocacy for members who receive little or no stipend while contributing to Sierra Leone’s democratic system.
Vice‑President Zainab S. Koroma called for strategic partnership and collaboration between the Union and the Authority to help cascade the ongoing reforms that NPRA delivers on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone.