The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) recently awarded the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) for its outstanding service delivery in the downstream petroleum sector over the past six years. The award was presented during a handover ceremony held at the Bintumani Conference Hall.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, the former president of SLAJ, commended the current Director General of NPRA, Brima Baluwa Koroma, and his dedicated team for their transparency and openness in addressing critical concerns raised by journalists, media practitioners, bloggers, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) during quarterly press conferences. He noted that Koroma’s willingness to engage in objective and constructive dialogue has greatly enhanced ethical and development journalism across print and electronic media.
Abu Bakar Kargbo (Fadda Bakish), a senior and experienced journalist representing the new SLAJ leadership, presented the award to NPRA’s management and staff. He praised the Director General and his team for their excellent service delivery and the unprecedented reforms they are implementing in a highly critical and volatile industry. Kargbo also affirmed SLAJ’s openness to further constructive engagement with NPRA and other government agencies to strengthen Sierra Leone’s media landscape.
In response, Director General Brima Baluwa Koroma expressed his gratitude for the strategic recognition from SLAJ. He described the award as timely and motivating, reinforcing the Authority’s commitment to its people-centered policies as outlined in the new NPRA Act of 2025.
“This Excellence Service Delivery Award is dedicated to His Excellency, Retired Brigadier President Julius Maada Bio, the Government of Sierra Leone, and the entire NPRA management and staff. The government’s policies have positively influenced the market, and with continued support from the presidency and government, my team will persist in stabilizing and addressing the longstanding challenges within the industry,” Koroma said.
He also thanked journalists, bloggers, and CSOs for their unwavering support during the transition from the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) to the NPRA. “I urge every journalist across the country to embrace Development Journalism, which is vital for our national interest,” Koroma appealed.