By Claudia Redwood-Sawyerr
During this week’s weekly government press conference, Alphonso Manley, Chairman of the CSO Consortium on Petroleum, outlined progress made by the Sierra Leone government in the petroleum sector.
He explained that although the government regulates fuel prices, the process is consultative rather than isolated. “As civil society, we are part of the pricing discussions,” he said, noting that recent engagements with government officials, including the Minister of Finance and Minister of Information, helped moderate the pump price to NLe 32 instead of NLe 36.
Manley also highlighted improvements in fuel storage. He stated that reserves previously lasted for only 7–10 days, but investments in storage facilities have significantly increased capacity.
He pointed to reforms led by the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority with support from the World Bank, which have strengthened transparency and efficiency through a revised pricing formula that balances costs for consumers and investors.
Manley also raised concerns about ongoing challenges, including supply volatility and safety risks. Drawing attention to fire outbreaks at facilities like Eco Energy, he stressed the need for stronger protection of petroleum infrastructure.
“These incidents pose serious risks to investments and public safety. As civil society, our role is to bring these issues to the attention of government and advocate for solutions that protect both investments and citizens,” he said.
