The Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Brima Baluwa Koroma, has briefed Parliament’s Committee on Trade and Industry on recent developments within Sierra Leone’s downstream petroleum sector, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to ensuring a safe, competitive and transparent petroleum industry.
The engagement followed the Committee’s summons of the NPRA and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) as part of Parliament’s constitutional oversight responsibilities aimed at assessing the performance and regulation of the country’s petroleum industry.
During his presentation, Brima Baluwa Koroma outlined the Authority’s mandate under the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority Act, 2025, explaining that the NPRA is responsible for regulating the downstream petroleum sector to promote efficiency, competition, safety and consumer protection.
He told Members of Parliament that the Authority strives to balance the interests of three key stakeholders; consumers, industry operators and the Government. According to him, protecting consumers through fair and transparent fuel pricing remains a top priority, while ensuring Oil Marketing Companies receive reasonable returns on investment is essential to attracting both domestic and foreign investment into the sector. He added that the Authority also contributes to Government’s fiscal objectives by supporting sustainable revenue generation from petroleum-related activities.
Responding to concerns raised by Members of Parliament regarding the quality of petroleum products imported into Sierra Leone, the Director General assured the Committee that all petroleum products entering the country comply with internationally accepted quality standards.
He explained that modern petroleum products contain specialized additives that improve engine performance while incorporating environmentally friendly technologies designed to reduce harmful emissions and promote cleaner energy use.
Brima Baluwa Koroma further disclosed that the NPRA is expected to engage the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in August to discuss issues relating to fuel quality and vehicle emissions. He said the Authority would welcome the participation of one or two representatives from Parliament’s Committee on Trade and Industry during those discussions.
Speaking on regional fuel quality standards, the Director General explained that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has transitioned from the previous sulphur content limit of 1,000 parts per million (ppm) to 50 ppm in line with efforts to improve environmental protection and safeguard public health.
He noted that Sierra Leone’s fuel pricing framework currently accommodates the importation of petroleum products with a sulphur content of only 10 ppm, a standard that exceeds the regional ECOWAS requirement and demonstrates the country’s commitment to cleaner fuels.
Brima Baluwa Koroma also commended the Ministry of Finance for securing a Platts subscription for the NPRA in 2020. He explained that before obtaining the subscription, the Authority depended largely on information provided by Oil Marketing Companies for international petroleum pricing.
According to him, the subscription has significantly enhanced the Authority’s independence, transparency and credibility in determining domestic fuel prices based on reliable international market data.
The Director General also praised Oil Marketing Companies for maintaining high standards in the quality of petroleum products supplied to the Sierra Leonean market.
On the regulation of fuel stations, Brima Baluwa Koroma informed the Committee that the NPRA has maintained a moratorium on the construction of new filling stations since March while reviewing outstanding applications.
He explained that the review process is intended to ensure full compliance with safety, environmental and planning regulations, stressing that while some applications may eventually receive approval, others will be rejected where they fail to meet the required standards or pose risks to public safety.
To strengthen regulatory compliance, Brima Baluwa Koroma presented copies of the NPRA’s Gas Station Regulations to Members of Parliament and appealed for their support in raising public awareness about the dangers of constructing filling stations near schools, hospitals, markets and other public institutions.
He stressed that effective collaboration between Parliament, regulators and local communities is essential to promoting safer petroleum infrastructure and protecting the lives and wellbeing of Sierra Leoneans.
