Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. In popularizing the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s New Act in the provinces, the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Trade & Industry has concluded successful regional discussions on the new Act with Petroleum Operators, Standard Bureau, Media Practitioners, Journalists, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Office of National Security (ONS) at the Bombali District Council in Makeni.
The popularization aims to educate the general public, especially those within the Value Chain Supply, about the Authority’s new mandates coupled with enormous powers enshrined in the new Act when executing its statutory functions without fear and hesitation.
Chairperson for the Parliamentary Oversight on Trade and Industry Committee, Honourable Veronica Kadie Sesay noted that for her committee, they have had a consensus to popularize whatever bill that passes through their committee, and it must be given adequate public education to its targeted audience on the basis that they are representing every Sierra Leonean and as such they are the obliged to take parliament to the doorsteps of their constituents.
“ Our primary objective in parliament is to make reasonable laws on behalf of our constituents, PRA then had achieved a lot in terms of reforms, revenue growth and stability within the industry for years and the current leadership and management have made significant improvements which continue to position the Oil Industry as one of the most delivered sectors in the country, these and other compelling factors urged the current leadership and his team to transition from Agency to Authority which would give them full Authority in overseeing the Downstream Industry in a very transparent and effective manner” Hon. Sesay explained.
Hon. Daniel Koroma lauded the astute leadership at NPRA, noting it was a very daunting task for the current DG and his team to ensure they’d attained an unprecedented limelight from Agency to the Authority.
Hon. Koroma challenged NPRA to continue their exceptional service delivery to Sierra Leoneans, while he also cautioned dealers and other stakeholders to kindly adhere to the new Act, which will be a win-win situation for the regulators and the dealers.
Speaking on behalf of the management of NPRA, the Director of Licensing and Inspection, Jayah K Muana, highlighted a few essential provisions in the new Act and gave a succinct overview of red flags for dealers to keenly heed.
Director Jayah emphasized the need for petroleum dealers in the south and north to always ensure that all precautionary measures are being put in place at every station, adding that petroleum products are toxic and it’s a political commodity that tends to create instability in the country if the sector is not well regulated.
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