Koroma, NPRA Unshaken by Attacks
In the corridors of Sierra Leone’s National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), a quiet yet powerful prayer echoes daily among many of its dedicated staff: “No weapon formed against our leadership shall prosper.” This expression of faith has taken on renewed meaning in the face of an intensifying smear campaign allegedly aimed at undermining the authority’s growing credibility and, more pointedly, the integrity of its Director General, Brima Baluwa Koroma. Amidst these troubling developments, stakeholders both within and outside the institution are rallying to defend the reputation and hard-won progress of an agency pivotal to the nation’s economic stability.
A Sector Reformed, A Leader Targeted
Since his appointment in 2024, Brima Baluwa Koroma has overseen a remarkable turnaround in Sierra Leone’s downstream petroleum industry. Under his stewardship, the NPRA has delivered measurable improvements in fuel availability, enhanced regulatory oversight, and increased transparency in one of the country’s most crucial and lucrative sectors. His alignment with President Julius Maada Bio’s national development agenda has produced tangible benefits, including a 300% increase in fuel storage capacity enough to sustain national demand for up to three months without imports.
Yet, this success has not been universally welcomed.
Insiders reveal a growing sense of unrest within the NPRA, allegedly fueled by disgruntled personnel and external actors determined to derail the authority’s momentum. Described by observers as a modern-day “Judas coalition,” these individuals are accused of conspiring with certain civil society elements to circulate falsehoods about the Director General and the institution through both social and traditional media platforms.
Civil Society Consortium Responds to Misinformation
This campaign reached a critical point when the Civil Society Consortium on Petroleum convened a press conference on July 22, 2025, to address what they labeled a malicious and unfounded attack by self-described civil society activist, Mr. Edmond Abu. The consortium unequivocally condemned Abu’s allegations, which they claim lack evidence and are motivated by personal vendettas or financial extortion attempts.
Senior consortium member Moses Sellu Mambu defended the leadership of Director General Koroma, emphasizing his deep industry experience and strategic understanding of petroleum regulation. “Mr. Koroma is highly qualified. He has worked across all levels of this industry and understands the challenges we face,” Mambu stated. He also pointed out how Koroma’s leadership had rectified many of the sector’s previous inefficiencies, which were often tied to mismanagement of imports and unregulated practices by oil marketing companies (OMCs).
Credibility Under Question
Consortium representatives were particularly scathing in their rebuttal of Mr. Abu’s credibility, accusing him of operating without the backing or organizational strength to represent the broader interests of civil society. William Sao Lamin, another senior member, dismissed the allegations as “reckless and baseless,” cautioning that such smear tactics could destabilize a critical sector of the economy.
“These attacks are not just about one man
they are about derailing an entire institution,” Lamin emphasized. “We must not allow irresponsible activism to damage the progress Sierra Leone has made in fuel regulation and access
Defending a Complex Sector with Competence
Alphonso Manley, a consortium leader with expertise in petroleum economics, took the opportunity to educate the public on the technical demands of petroleum pricing and regulation. He highlighted the NPRA’s use of legally established pricing formulas that consider global oil price trends, exchange rates, and local economic conditions. “The Director General’s role is not only administrative bit’s deeply analytical. The wrong move can ripple across the economy,” Manley said.
Such clarity is vital in dispelling misinformation and affirming the necessity for skilled leadership in navigating a volatile global petroleum market while safeguarding national interests.
A Call for Ethical Advocacy and National Unity
Consortium leaders underscored their commitment to responsible reporting and ethical civil society engagement. They cautioned that unfounded attacks risk damaging not just reputations but national institutions built to serve the public good. Civil society organizations, they argued, must hold power to account but with integrity, evidence, and a commitment to national progress.
“Let us not be used as tools of division,” said Mambu. “Instead, let us stand united to protect what benefits the people of Sierra Leone.”
Looking Ahead: Integrity, Transparency, and Hope
As tensions simmer, many within the NPRA and the broader petroleum ecosystem remain cautiously optimistic. The authority’s track record speaks for itself: stable fuel supply, reduced dependency on imports, improved storage, and more competitive pricing. These achievements, if allowed to continue, could transform Sierra Leone’s petroleum industry into a regional model.
For now, the prayers continue not just for protection, but for perseverance. Despite the storm, Brima Baluwa Koroma and his team remain focused on delivering results. Their commitment to ethical governance, transparency, and reform may well be the antidote to the forces working against them.
In a sector where leadership has too often been transactional, the NPRA’s current trajectory
though under fire offers something rare: substance over spectacle, results over rhetoric, and hope over hostility.
