To augment effective collaboration with inter-governmental MDAs, the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority ( NPRA) in a landmark partnership and strategic collaboration ceremony, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB) at the Authority’s headquarters at Tower Hill, British Council Building.
This unprecedented landmark agreement, serves as a turning point for both institutions to foster a common understanding, integrity, joint efforts and standardization that strengthens robust synergy that will enable the end-users to benefit from the ongoing reforms and sound policies at NPRA and SLSB.
Speaking at the MoU ceremony, the Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Brima Baluwa Koroma, commended the new leadership of Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB) for his strategic commitments and his leadership approach since he took over as the Executive Director of SLSB, noting that though the meeting is overdue; it’s crucial for effective coordination between the two institutions that would enhance and deepen smooth ties in tackling most of the bottlenecks in the industry through regular engagements.
“At this moment, we need to harmonize our institutional goals and objectives and focus on improving our working relationships for efficient service delivery. Effective inter-departmental collaborations will help to reduce suspicion, avoid duplicity of roles, reduce turn-around time, and increase efficiencies in our various policy objectives.
At NPRA, the extent to which we consult a wide range of industry stakeholders when developing new policy demonstrates our commitment to implementing regulatory practice that is fair, inclusive, and focused on outcome.
SLSB remains key to achieve the ECOWAS Petroleum quality standards, and we are happy to work side-by-side in whatever capacity, with desirable outcomes of our end-users and by extension the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL). Over the years, the Authority has been constrained in coordinating with SLSB, and I am sure today we have turned to a new chapter that will guide both institutions on the right path “the NPRA boss noted.
On his part, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB), Dr. John Paul Kai Sam, re-affirmed his institution’s fullest commitment in implementing all the components of the agreement that are being signed. He added that, a lot have been reviewed under his stewardship in this short time, and much more will be done going forward in collectively working with relevant stakeholders in the industry in the interests of the consumers’ protection.
In previous development, NPRA successfully signed MOU with the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA). Plans are in the advanced stage for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
NPRA Media & PR Department