Government Spends $24 Million Every Year to Reduce Fuel Prices – State House Director

The Director of Communications at State House, Myk Berewa, says Sierra Leone spends about 24 million US dollars annually to keep fuel prices lower through government subsidies.

In a social media statement, Berewa said the government spends roughly 1.5 to 2 million dollars monthly to reduce the impact of rising global oil prices on consumers.

He explained that the money used to support fuel prices could otherwise be directed towards essential services, including school subsidies, local councils and development projects.

His statement follows an earlier disclosure by Trade and Industry Minister Alpha Sesay, who said the government had spent more than eight million dollars in recent months to protect citizens from rising fuel costs.

Currently, petrol sells at 40 new leones per litre, while diesel sells at 45 new leones per litre. The government says prices would be much higher without its intervention.

The disclosure has renewed attention on the cost of fuel subsidies and how public funds are used. Authorities face the challenge of balancing affordable fuel prices with the need to finance other important public services.