BY: MOHAMED SAHR
Cornex Energy Sierra Leone has updated the media about the petroleum shortcoming crisis during the weekly press briefing of the Ministry of Information and Communication on Thursday 24th March 2022 at Youyi building.
This private agency, which serves as one of the leading suppliers of petrol across the country in the course of the briefing, implied that large quantity of petrol products are directly coming from Russia. Adding that, the Russia and Ukraine invasion has sent a shock wave implication in the supplying of the products to various consumers.
Avrajip Mar, the Chief Executive Officer of Cornex Energy Sierra Leone said as a result of the sanctions levelled on Russia, the supply of the products have been a rough ride not only in Africa but globally.
He revealed that Cornex Energy Sierra Leone is trying its best in terms of issuing supplies at compelling capacity. Noting that there are lots of outlets that do not have products in the country. ‘‘We fully aware of the long queue at different outlets but the ideal is; we would keep supporting to the best of our ability,’’ he said.
Avrajip Mar said in view of the support they are having from the Government of Sierra Leone, they would continue to get products from external market and ensure people needs are achieved. Pointing that this crisis would not last long it would soon be tabled.
While the Minister of Trade and Industrial, Dr Edward Hinga Sandy, disclosed that the Government has made lots of preparation by previously opened up the market for petroleum agencies. Revealing that whenever there is a crisis between petroleum producing nations, there is clear tendency for shortfalls in the products and every nation would be affected. He said the demand is always scaling high and the supply remains short.
He said when it comes to subsidising petroleum prize; the Government of Sierra Leone has fought so much in doing so since last year.
Amadu Kassim Jah, Country Representative for Local Partners Cornex Sierra Leone said there are lots of people who have resorted to panic buying of which has created issues at various stations. ‘‘We would make sure that there is product in the markets,’’ he said.
He recommended the work of Government of Sierra Leone in cushioning the ongoing issue and that which they are striving to amend the said issue. He affirmed that there are fuels and they would make sure the products are properly regulated.
