Commentary!!!
By: Ilyasa Baa
The way the issue of fuel is being handled especially in the opposition stronghold of Makeni by the Bio-led SLPP administration has been widely appreciated by the people including transport operators.
Our elders used to say the position of the president is like a human body; when a part of the body is pinched, the person feels the pain. Our President covers the entire country from the day he took an oath before God and man that he would execute his duties as President of Sierra Leone, “so help me God”, oh yes!!! The Lord is going to see him through his two terms as President of the nation.
Let me come straight to the fuel issue in Makeni. It could be recalled that after August 10 terrorism acts perpetuated in APC strongholds, the dwellers stopped selling the fuel, lying that they were short of stuck starting on Sunday, August 14, when Evangelist Samson (APC operative) lost his life, according to an eyewitness account, in a cross fire with security forces in Makeni. In less than 72 hours, the issue of fuel was put to rest with all the stations filling their tanks with sufficient fuel. The Okada Riders Union Chairman for Bombali district, Mohamed Kalokoh expressed his gratitude that authorities listened to their call not for the product to shorten even if the price is increased. The availability of fuel determines the take home of our members not to talk of payment of daily Union dues which is the main source of income for the operation of the Union.
This week again, there was scarcity as most stations were closed on Wednesday till Thursday afternoon when supplies started reaching Makeni city. Before this day, however, hoarding of fuel took center stage as commercial drivers and commercial bike riders were grumbling all over the place expecting the government to take action and indeed, ACTION was taken by pumping thousands of liters of petroleum products into filling stations.
Leonco Filling Station (as pictured) was already full of purchasers when the tanker was offloading because of the artificial scarcity they succumbed to at the hands of hoarders who were selling NLe 30-35 per liter.
The prompt response of the Bio-led administration towards solving social issues has proven that the President is the god-father of the Nation; one that listens to the call of the people and settles their needs.
The fuel entering the shores of Sierra Leone is mainly imported from countries like Senegal, Spain, and Switzerland with the government playing a pivotal role in the fuel reaching the country. President Bio, being an attentive President, through the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) announced the reduction in the price of fuel; an announcement that shocked those in the opposition who want things to get rough just for them to make politics for their selfish interest.
