Effort of Sierra Leone parliament to save the country’s roads is being undermined by oil marketers.
A recent motion passed by parliamentarians on 27th November, last year was to save the masses from fatal road accidents that have caused a heavy death toll.
The move by parliamentarians was also meant to tackle headlong the worrying issue of Safety and degradation of roads.
Much was also made of the fact that despite the Laudable effort of parliament in passing this law slightly above 6 Months ago, compliance by mining companies has been very low or non-existent.
Angered by the non-compliance, Parliamentary Committee on Mines & Mineral Resources summoned the CEO’s of IFC World Bank backed Sierra Rutile (listed on Australian Stock Exchange) and the London Stock Exchange Listed VIMETCO SMHL to brief Parliament on their non- compliance with the above-mentioned law on 11th June this year.
Parliament also previously wrote to the Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency on 4th June to ensure immediate 100% compliance with the law by the affected mining companies.
The patriotic move by parliament which brought joy to the public is now under threat owing to clandestine moves by one of the biggest oil marketing companies which owns the largest fleet of tankers in the country.
The fleet of the company (name withheld) has been under the spotlight for causing major road degradation and accidents especially fragile roads and bridges leading to the provinces.
The company is alleged to have been making desperate moves to mesmerise parliamentarians to soft-pedal their patriotic stance by compromising their oath of office.
What is now of concern is that the much-heralded parliamentary hearing slated for 11th June has failed to hold owing to unexplained reasons.
The Chairman of the Committee is yet to advance reasons to the media and the public for the sudden twist.
The latest move has led to loud murmurings by parliamentarians of the main opposition, All People’s Congress that some form of sabotage or ungodly compromise is at play.