By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The newly appointed Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma, has pledged to implement bold reforms and modernization in Sierra Leone’s petroleum sector. During his inaugural address at the Authority’s headquarters in Freetown, Dr. Baluwa outlined a strategic vision aimed at strengthening regulatory frameworks, improving transparency, and ensuring fair competition in the petroleum market.
Dr. Baluwa called on stakeholders, including industry operators, civil society, and the media, to support the Authority’s transformation agenda. “Our goal is to transform the sector into a hub for industrial development and economic opportunity,” he said. “We are moving away from reactive measures toward proactive, data-driven regulation that ensures fair pricing, product quality, and consumer protection.”
The new Director General cited provisions in the NPRA Act, particularly Part III, which empowers the Authority to set fuel prices, approve storage fees, and establish stock balance thresholds. He added that a digital monitoring system capable of overseeing more than 300,000 users would be operational within two months.
Dr. Baluwa, who previously served as Deputy Board Chairman, described his appointment as a continuation of service and thanked his predecessor, board members, and staff for their support. He expressed his commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve the Authority’s goals.
The Chairman of the NPRA Board, Mr. Michael Hallie Kendoh, welcomed the new Director General and expressed full confidence in his leadership. “I am overwhelmed with joy,” Mr. Kendoh said. “I worked with him when he was board chair, and I have no doubt in his ability to lead this institution to greater heights.”
Mr. Kendoh reaffirmed the board’s commitment to providing strategic oversight while allowing management the space to operate independently. He noted NPRA’s recent achievements, including increased revenue generation, broader market participation, and stronger regulatory enforcement. “NPRA has contributed trillions to government revenue. We now have more oil marketing companies and fairer competition thanks to the policies we implemented,” he said.
The event was attended by board members, directors, and staff who extended brief congratulatory messages to the new Director General. “Congratulations, boss. This is well-deserved,” said the Director of Policy and Planning. “You’ve made history. We are proud of you,” added the Deputy Director General. “Wishing you all the best in this new chapter,” remarked the Director of Finance.
As the new Director General, Dr. Baluwa faces the challenge of implementing reforms and modernization in the petroleum sector. With the support of the board and stakeholders, he is well-positioned to drive the sector’s transformation and ensure that it contributes to the country’s economic development. The NPRA’s mandate to regulate Sierra Leone’s petroleum downstream sector, including pricing, importation, storage, distribution, and consumer protection, is crucial to the country’s economic growth and development.
