By Mohamed Kargbo
Honourable Ben Alpha Mansaray, Deputy Spokesman of the Opposition All People’s Congress (APC) in Parliament and representative of Moyamba District, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, stood on Standing Order 23 to raise serious concerns over the ongoing fuel price discrepancies in the country, which he described as a “national issue of urgent importance.”
Speaking during the Tuesday parliamentary sitting, Hon. Ben drew the attention of the Speaker to the troubling gap between the official government fuel price and the lower rates now offered by private fuel companies. He noted that while several private providers have reduced their pump prices to Le24, Le25, and Le26 per litre, the government-regulated price remains fixed at Le27.40.
“This should have been good news for our people,” he said, “but unfortunately, there has been no official communication from the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) or the Ministry of Transport. Without a formal press release, transport operators continue to charge passengers based on the old price.”
Hon. Ben emphasized that the lack of regulatory clarity directly impacts citizens, particularly in the areas of transportation and food prices. “When the cost of fuel drops but fares remain high, the prices of basic commodities also stay high or increase. This is unfair to the average Sierra Leonean,” he added.
He further explained that his intervention on July 15 was intended to urge Parliament to act swiftly. He praised the Deputy Speaker, who presided over the sitting, for directing a joint parliamentary response. The Committees on Trade and Transport were instructed to summon both the NPRA and the Ministry of Transport to appear before Parliament and provide clarity on the issue.
“This matter is not about politics; it’s about the people,” Hon. Ben said. “As Parliamentarians, we are elected to defend the interests of our constituents, both at district and national levels.”
Fuel pricing and its ripple effects on daily living costs have remained a contentious issue in Sierra Leone in recent months. Hon. Ben’s passionate call to action now places renewed pressure on regulatory authorities to ensure transparent communication and fair pricing mechanisms that reflect current market trends.
