Tuesday, 15th July 2025
Key Highlights
By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
At the July 15 press conference, key government institutions shared updates on transformative national investments, military welfare reforms, petroleum sector growth, and tourism preservation efforts. From a landmark printing press modernization agreement in China to renewed strategies in oil reserves, agriculture, and beach conservation, the press briefing underscored progress across several sectors aligned with the government’s inclusive development vision. The following are the key highlights:
Sierra Leone Signs $5 Million Printing Press Modernization Deal in China
Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bocakarie Abdel-Aziz Bawoh, announced that Minister Chernor Bah, currently on an official visit to China, signed a $5 million investment deal with Diming Yimo Printing Company to modernize and digitize Sierra Leone’s Government Printing Press. The deal will transform the printing press into a state-of-the-art, revenue-generating hub for national and regional printing services. As part of the agreement, Diming will supply cutting-edge equipment and deploy technical experts to train local staff, enhancing capacity and sustainability.
Minister Bah was accompanied by the Government Printer, Mr. Salifu Suma, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Andrew Kamara, highlighting the strategic nature of the mission.
National Petroleum Regulatory Authority Reports Sector Expansion
Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Brima Baluwa Koroma, provided a performance overview of the downstream petroleum sector over the last five years. He explained that the country previously had limited storage, just two weeks’ worth of supply, leading to frequent import disruptions and inadequate delivery. At that time, only three importers operated in the market. Today, there are ten players, ensuring healthy competition and stability.
Sierra Leone’s petroleum storage capacity has grown to 278,000 metric tons, more than double what it was five years ago. The downstream sector now contributes about 12% to domestic revenue, marking a significant shift in energy security and fiscal contribution.
New NPRA Act and Strategic Stock Management
DG Baluwa also spoke about the new NPRA Act, which empowers the Authority to maintain the government’s strategic fuel stock. Under this legislation, Sierra Leone now holds petroleum reserves that can last six to seven weeks, a record in the nation’s history. The law also mandates that licensed operators must maintain a minimum stock balance, or risk losing their licenses, ensuring better preparedness and accountability in the sector.
Reduction in Fuel Prices Linked to Market Competition
Addressing public concerns about fuel prices, DG Baluwa attributed the recent reduction in pump prices to government policy reforms under President Julius Maada Bio. The government established a price ceiling while encouraging open market competition. As a result, dealers are voluntarily lowering their prices, and the NPRA has committed to staying out of pricing interference, allowing competition to flourish as intended.
Army Shifts Focus to Welfare and Economic Empowerment
The Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, revealed that the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has redefined its mission to focus not only on national defense but also on the well-being and productivity of military personnel. He announced the registration of five independent corporate bodies, separate from the military chain of command, to manage ventures in agriculture, road construction, and entrepreneurship.
In the agriculture sector, the army has initiated a 1,000-hectare cashew farm in Port Loko, with the goal of becoming the largest cashew producer by 2026 and achieving rice self-sufficiency. In road infrastructure, RSLAF is actively bidding for projects, including feeder roads from Mile 91 to Buedu and Koindu, and internal road works within military barracks.
Enhanced Welfare for Military Officers
Lieutenant General Bangura emphasized that improving the welfare of officers remains a top priority under his leadership. With the support of President Bio, significant reforms are underway, including improved housing and clean water access, and a marriage contribution increase from NLe250 to NLe5,000 per officer. Plans are also in motion to construct shops near barracks to generate income for military families and to launch a real estate initiative aimed at building permanent quarters for officers.
Tourism Board Urges Public to Protect Beaches and Heritage Sites
Fatmata Mida Carew, Managing Director of the National Tourist Board, made a passionate appeal to citizens to take ownership in protecting the country’s beaches. She decried the increasing habit of littering beaches with waste such as sofas, mattresses, and plastics, which harms the natural environment and deters tourism. Madam Carew disclosed that the Board currently spends about NLe40,000 weekly to clean the beaches, resources that could be channeled elsewhere if waste management improved. She called on the public to take personal responsibility for managing their waste and preserving national assets.
UNESCO Heritage Designation and Seaweed Management Strategy
Madam Carew hailed the recent designation of the Gola-Tiwai Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, calling it a landmark achievement that will significantly boost Sierra Leone’s tourism profile. She also addressed the issue of seaweed accumulation along coastal areas, revealing that the Board is partnering with stakeholders to explore economic uses for seaweed while also developing strategies to reduce its negative impact on the coastline.
