By Amin Kef Sesay
In a letter written by the Consortium of CSOs on Petroleum and Industrial Relations, with the signature of its Acting Chairman, Alphonso Manley appended and addressed to the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, members of the consortium started by first drawing his attention to the Mission of their entity , which according to them is to monitor the activities of all major players within the petroleum landscape of the country as a watchdog, ensure things are done accordingly and some of the activities they have undertaken so far all in the interest of the public good.
They furthered by referencing the Vice President’s visit to the Kissy Terminal last year which they said was welcomed by all the players in the petroleum industry as a good step in the right direction especially at a time when there was a deep misunderstanding between the Management of the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) and representatives of a new player, the All Petroleum Products (APP) bordering on upholding public safety.
Members of the Consortium went on to state that they deemed it that a considerable time has elapsed since he, the Vice President, conducted an independent assessment of the facilities of all stakeholders down at the Terminal.
They continued that it is the expressed view of members of the Consortium that it is but appropriate now if the Vice President could kindly release a report on his findings during the assessment and plausible recommendations he could proffer which they believe could bring a lasting solution to the impasse between the National Petroleum- Sierra Leone Limited and the All Petroleum Products.
Copies of the letter were sent to the Minister of Trade and Industry,
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and the Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency ( PRA).
This medium recalls some time towards the end of 2021 when there was a serious impasse between the National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) and a new entrant on the petroleum landscape of this country, the All Petroleum Products (APP), bordering on the flouting of the clearance given to APP by NP-SL Ltd on how the former should lay its pipes without affecting its facility. NP-SL Ltd insisted that the pipes should be laid in a manner which could not jeopardize public safety, taking into consideration that petroleum products are highly inflammable.
APP reneged on what they were permitted to do and instead went ahead to externally lay their pipes to which NP-SL Ltd stoutly protested leading to the impasse which was so serious, affecting all other activities down at the Kissy Terminal until the Police intervened and quelled down the situation. It warranted the intervention of the Vice President, Dr Juldeh Jalloh. He led a team of relevant stakeholders, including the Minister of Trade, Hinga Sandy and the Executive Chair of the regulatory entity of all petroleum entities in the country, Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma, to see firsthand the facilities down at the Kissy Terminal, look at the causes of the impasse and making a promise that he will translate his findings into a Report, with probably recommendations on the way forward.
However, from that time he made that promise no report on the said issue has not come from his Office.
It could be this vacuum which might have driven the members of the Consortium of CSOs on Petroleum and Industrial Relations to have written him as a way of a reminder as he is such a busy personality.
This medium is also interested in seeing the Report for onward transmission for public consumption.
