By: Mustapha Sheriff

CLAIM: That the people of Kenema are still buying fuel at Nle 22 per liter after the increment of petroleum products to Nle 25 and there is free distribution of onions in Kenema amidst the current onion crisis in Sierra Leone.

VERDICT: FALSE, as confirmed by the Chairman Sierra Leone Traders Union Kenema and the head of Petroleum Regulatory Agency East.

FULL TEXT

A Facebook post by a certain Tunde Scott within the early hours of Wednesday 2nd August 2023, claimed that the people of Kenema are buying fuel at Nle 22 per litre while people are buying fuel at Nle 25 in Freetown and that there is an ongoing free distribution of onions in Kenema.

This came after a release by Petroleum Regulatory Agency indicating an increase in the pump price of petroleum products on the 1st August 2023. This post by Tunde Scott has gone viral on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

METHODOLOGY

To investigate the said claims, the super newsroom reached out to the regional head of Petroleum Regulatory Agency east, Kemson Brima Moriba and Chairman Traders Union Kenema district Harding Jalloh to ascertain the reality of the said claims.

It was revealed by Kemson that such is not to his knowledge and that the current pump price of all petroleum products is Nle 25 per liter.

“No, not to my knowledge. The current pump price of all petroleum product is Nle25 per liter and it cuts across the country” The PRA Boss east confirmed.

The super newsroom also visited two fuel stations in Kenema including Leonco and Conex and they are selling at the new pump price issued by P.R.A on 1st August 2023.

The SuperNewsRoom also reached out to the Chairman Sierra Leone Traders Union Kenema district Harding Jalloh for confirmation.

According to him, “onion is not even available in all markets in kenema not to talk of free distribution.

“No, I can even confirm to  you that onion is not available in the markets for now not even to talk about free distribution of onions. I have also been contacted by some of my traders about the said claim and this problem is not only affecting Sierra Leone but other African countries as well” he said.

CONCLUSION: Their is no evidence to support the claim made by Tunde Scott that the people of Kenema are buying fuel at Nle 22 per litre and that there is free distribution of onions in kenema.

NOTE: This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.

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