By Amin Kef Sesay
The Sierra Leone Petroleum Dealers and Transporters Union, in a Press Statement it churned out on the 7th January 2022 stated categorically that it wants to inform the general public that it receives with utter dismay, statement by the Petroleum Regulation Agency (PRA) on the 4th January 2022.
The Union continued that starting on the 15th December 2021, the Petroleum Industry witnessed the rationing and streaming of Orders placed by Dealers by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) meaning that no Dealer in the country received product based on Orders especially for Petrol.
Members of the Union continued that the Petroleum Regulatory Agency ( PRA) monitors stock level every morning but failed in its mandate to ensure that OMCs release the said available stock to Dealers or Public during that period especially for the holidays.
It continued that presently, there is one functional loading Terminal managed by LEONCO where all OMCs collect product which is a high risk for a Nation and Challenging for trucks. Union members disclosed how OMCs have terminated a mode of Transportation (SELF TRANSPORT) that has been operational Twenty (20) years back that ensure or facilitate ease of distribution across the country.
They went forward to say that in light of the above they view the 04/01/22 statements of the PRA not only disjointed but also aimed at discrediting their role as Agents for Government revenue mobilization in the industry.
The Union Executive concluded by stating that consequently they are asking the Regulatory body to reverse its decision on their general members while a thorough stakeholders’ investigation be carried out.
In another related matter, the Sierra Leone Petroleum Dealers and Transporters Union (SLPDTU) has condemned the action of the PRA in terms of suspending the licenses of five gas stations in the country.
The Petroleum Regulatory Agency on 4th January suspended the licenses of five gas stations across the country for allegedly refusing to sell petroleum products even when it was available.
In response to such a punitive action, the SLPDTU stated that no petroleum product dealer received products stating that such was as a result of orders placed by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
SLPDTU highlighted that though the Petroleum Regulatory Agency monitors stock level but they failed to ensure that OMCs released the said available stock to Dealers during the holiday periods.
According to SLPDTU, there is a functional loading terminal managed by LEONCO where all OMCs collect product – something which according to SLPDTU is a high risk for a nation and challenging for trucks.
SLPDTU added that the OMCs have terminated the mode of transportation that has been operational since some twenty years back.
As a result of all of that, the SLPDTU is calling on the Petroleum Regulatory Agency to reverse its decision of suspending the licenses of the gas stations and carryout a stakeholder investigation into the matter.
