11 petrol stations risk closure by PURA

Ansumana Sanneh, the director general of Public Regulatory Authority (PURA) stated that on 1^st February 2019, PURA dispatched legal notices to non-compliant service stations to regularise their license status by 7^th February 2019 or risk been shut down. However PURA quest to shut them down eleven petrol stations this week.

“As of this morning, 8^th February 2019, the following service petrol stations have been ordered to suspend their operations until they regularise their license status with PURA pursuant to section 6(2) of the Petroleum Product Act, 2016 which prohibits a person from “petroleum products supply operation without obtaining a license under the Act.”

These were revealed at a press conference held at PURA main office over the weekend

He added that monitors are on their way if any of the listed station is found operating, will be shut down until their status are regularised in line with the Act. Stations to be closed includes Demba Doo, Halal oil, Marigo oil, Kamanka oil, Sandale oil, Kairawan bridge, Sam petrol station, Drammeh oil, Dibba oil, Jallow oil and Alhagi Momodou Yaya Jallow.

He urged all non-licensed retail petroleum stations to regularise their licensing status in order to operate legally in the petroleum sector.

Momodou Lamin Sompo Ceesay, director of energy and water said they closed the stations because operators haven’t gone under licensing and they are mainly own by individuals.

He added that there will not be any major impact for consumers to purchase oil throughout the country. “If you look at the country we have 122 petrol stations and the nine stations will not be impacted much to the people. We have been given them time over the past two years, to make sure there is no destruction in basic public services.”

Junkung Jobarteh, senior manager, legal licensing and enforcement stated that there are different categories of license they have, which are the petrol stations, export and import license as well.  He said their actions will encourage those operating without license to come forward and obtain the license. “Any station that is closed, we will put a cross banner and notice paper to inform people and that will be removed after the ban.”

Solo Sima, director consumer affairs reiterated that licensing shouldn’t been seen as penalising people, instead licensing for consumers is protection mechanism to monitor the quality they sale, premises and the conditions. He lamented that PURA is a multi-sectorial unity body and in order to regulate them, they have to bring them on board so that they are licensed and set standard.