By Politico Staff Writer
The Office of National Security (ONS) is investigating several threats and remarks made by unknown people against the facilities of Oil Marketing Companies (OMC).
This fear prodded the ONS, Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA), and other agencies to hold an inter-agency and stakeholders meeting on the 1st December 2021 at the Government Independent Secondary School in Kissy, Freetown.
During the meeting, the Executive Chairman of the PRA, Dr Brima Baluwa Koroma called on stakeholders within the Kissy Oil Refinery to protect the installations and storage facilities of OMCs.
The Executive Chairman noted that the country, unlike other nations, has only one terminal which supplies the entire country. He said because of that, threats of such nature must be treated with seriousness and must not be left in the hands of the government alone. He added that residents in the Kissy Refinery community have an important and focal role to play.
Dr. Koroma drew reference to an investigation by the police about a certain man that was arrested for allegedly attempting to burn one of Total filling stations in Bo.
He said that the contribution of OMCs towards revenue generation in the country is immense and that the PRA would not want to see any hindrance to the smooth operations of the sector.
He said the petroleum sector contributes over 700 billion Leones annually to the economy of the nation and 5,000 direct jobs provided or created.
He affirmed that it is the responsibility of all involved to address the least of concern with regards security.
The Chairman called on all stakeholders to treat installations and facilities with utmost care and report instances that might undermine peace and security to authorities.
He addressed the concerns raised by the community people and asked that they use the right channel rather than expressing grievances by using the wrong channel although they are genuine concerns.
The Executive Chairman stated that OMCs will now be mandated to implement Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plans before renewal of operational license. He beckoned stakeholders within the terminal to catalogue their concerns and put them forward to the PRA, ONS, National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), and other lined agencies.
The Director Provincial and Border Security from the ONS, Mohamed Bankapomah Bangura admonished the nation not to politicise oil installations as they are critical to the nation as a whole and should be protected by all.
The concern raised by the indigenous community people is that OMCs normally engage members of parliament and other politicians without their consent. That he said has been the key reason for their nonchalant behaviour with regards to the protection of oil facilities.
The Local Unit Commander, Kissy Division, Hillary Kanu, said that there is a much-needed intervention from the government to harmonize the relationship between OMCs and communities where they operate.
Director of Risk and Disaster Reduction at the NDMA, Thomas Lebbie, considered the creation of his agency by President Julius Maada Bio to be timely. He added that their operation is not to only respond to disasters but to also be proactive in preventing imminent ones.
The Terminal Manager for Conex Energy formerly known as Total SL, Adrian Lambert, stressed the need for locals to be part of the protection of OMCs. He affirmed that external security is not enough irrespective of the resources spent on it. He pleaded with all present to focus on the future and forget about the past.
The NDMA later flew a drone across the Kissy Oil Terminal to assess potential threat areas after PRA Chairman granted them leave.
Copyright © Politico Online 03/12/21
