NPRA Maintains Nationwide Ban on New Gas Station Construction Amid Safety Review

The National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA)) has announced that the nationwide moratorium on the construction of new gas stations remains in force as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety and regulatory compliance.

The ban, which took effect in March 2026, will continue until a comprehensive safety and compliance review of existing petroleum retail outlets is completed across the country. During this period, no new construction permits for fuel stations will be issued.

According to the Authority, the review is focusing on ensuring that all existing stations meet approved safety distance requirements from residential areas, schools, hospitals, places of worship, and environmentally sensitive zones such as wetlands.

The NPRA warned that any attempt to construct or operate a new gas station during the moratorium without authorization will attract strict penalties in line with national regulations.

The Authority further disclosed that once the suspension is lifted, the construction of new fuel stations will be governed by stringent new regulations aimed at improving safety standards, urban planning, and environmental protection.

Under the new framework, developers will be required to meet several conditions, including:

A minimum land size equivalent to three town plots (approximately 1,045 square meters), with legally verified ownership or lease agreements.

Sites must be on flat or gently sloping terrain and must not be located on reclaimed land or swamp areas.

Fuel stations must not be sited on sharp road curves, roundabouts, or junctions, and must be at least 100 metres away from such points.

A cap of four fuel stations within a two-kilometre stretch of road, with a minimum spacing of 500 metres between stations.

A mandatory buffer of at least 20 metres from power lines, transformers, and welding workshops, and 30 metres from residential buildings, schools, and other public facilities.

Strict environmental controls prohibiting the discharge of waste or drainage into rivers, streams, or wetlands.

Developers will also be required to obtain approvals from multiple regulatory and oversight institutions, including the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Ministry of Works & Public Assets, the Ministry of Labour & Social Security, the Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)), and the National Disaster Management Agency.

The NPRA stated that prospective investors will also be required to present authenticated land survey documents issued by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, alongside detailed architectural and engineering blueprints for proposed facilities.

Once the moratorium is lifted, applicants will be required to submit a formal Letter of Intent, accompanied by all verified documentation, directly to the Director General of the NPRA for assessment and approval.

The Authority emphasized that the reforms are designed to prevent unsafe fuel station siting, reduce environmental risks, and improve overall compliance within Sierra Leone’s petroleum downstream sector.