Public outcry as Sierra Leone faces multiple fuel price hikes

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, Sierra Leone’s Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) announced an increase in pump fuel prices from NLE 25 to NLE 30 per liter. This sudden increase has raised strong responses from numerous Sierra Leoneans through various channels, with a significant number questioning the government’s efforts in addressing fuel-related inflation, given the economic hardships they are enduring.

A prevailing sentiment among the general population is the conviction that the government should have taken measures to revise subsidies to provide better support to its citizens.

This is the second time within a month that the government has increased the pump prices of fuel. Sierra Leonean citizens have taken to social media to voice their exasperation, and their comments are outlined below:

“Unreasonable Government. You create numerous useless offices that bring no benefit to the state and remove subsidies on essential commodities to fund those offices, and now we the poor and needy have to pay for those unreasonable decisions. Not only that u don’t care about your subjects, but this government literally doesn’t fear God. This is absolute wickedness,” Amadu Jawara wrote on Facebook.

“Hope the government reverses this decision, this is not what we voted for. Is it because fuel is free for top government officials? We are not happy,” Steven Momoh wrote.

Read more comments here…

Nevertheless, the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) clarified that Sierra Leone’s daily fuel consumption has reached a minimum of 1.3 million liters. This statistic underscores the vital role of fuel in both the nation’s economy and the day-to-day lives of its inhabitants.

Regrettably, the recent upsurge in fuel prices has had adverse effects on businesses, resulting in increased costs for goods and services. This has significantly impacted the well-being of many Sierra Leoneans by affecting their sources of income.