By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter D.S
The Native Consortium and Research Center (NCRC) has renewed its call for a significant reduction in fuel prices in Sierra Leone, citing recent global price drops and a strengthening Leone against the US dollar. This appeal was made during a town hall meeting at the Bintish Hotel Conference Hall in Bo City, under the theme “Reflecting Fuel Price Cuts Across All Means of Land and Sea Transportation.”
In his presentation, NCRC Executive Director Edmond Abu Jr. emphasized the necessity for the Sierra Leonean government to implement a 17% reduction in local fuel prices, which would lower the pump price from Le 27.3 to Le 22.7 per liter. He pointed out that global fuel prices have dropped by 20%, warranting a proportional decrease in the local market.
Abu also highlighted the impact of the Leone’s appreciation against the US dollar on fuel import costs. He criticized the Ministry of Transport and Aviation for failing to enforce adjustments in transport fares when previous reductions in pump prices occurred, arguing that “when prices drop at the pump, we must see corresponding drops in public transport fares. That’s not happening, and it’s the ordinary Sierra Leoneans who suffer.”
The NCRC provided data-driven examples of adjusted transport fares, proposing that the Freetown to Bo bus fare should decrease from Le 120 to Le 100. Other recommendations included reductions for Keke, Okada, and taxi fares, with prices dropping from Le 5 to Le 4 and from Le 10 to Le 8. Additionally, ferry fares, including those for the Freetown to Lungi route, should also reflect these reductions.
The Consortium noted significant changes in Sierra Leone’s downstream fuel sector, highlighting a “price revolution” driven by new entrants such as Zala, Eco Energy, and Aminata. Zala has distinguished itself as the first Oil Marketing Company (OMC) to sell fuel below government-mandated prices, currently offering it at Le 26 per liter. This competitive pricing has prompted older OMCs like Leoneco to reduce their prices to Le 23 for diesel and Le 25 for petrol without government intervention.
“This revolution in fuel pricing has validated our long-standing advocacy. For the first time, dealers are earning fairly, and the public is benefitting,” Abu stated.
The NCRC urged the Sierra Leonean government to take stronger ownership of the fuel sector by exploring direct fuel importation, as initiated under former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, and by constructing a 500,000-metric-ton central storage facility in Sulima or Shenge through BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) or PPP (Public-Private Partnership) models. The Consortium warned that Sierra Leone is one of the few countries in the region without significant ownership of fuel storage or importation capabilities, leaving it vulnerable to market manipulation.
The event concluded with a call for transparency, accountability, and public-centered reforms in fuel pricing, transportation costs, and energy sector governance. Certificates were distributed to team members for their contributions, with special recognition given to Sierraloaded and AYV for their ongoing support of the Native Consortium’s objectives.
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