By Adama Makasuba & Nyima Sillah
Jah Oil Company has accused Pura of discrimation despite settling its fine, thus, said PURA doesn’t detail the correct reason of its fine against the company.
The management of Jah Oil Company said the only regulation discussed between them and Pura was about the 2018 regulation which states ‘petrol stations should be built 50-metres away from public places’ – citing of discrimination by Pura.
In an exclusive talk with The Voice, Momodou Hydara, Managing Director of Jah Oil said: “But we called ourselves – and we said start with Jah Oil and approve eight stations -out of those eight stations which one is qualified in this 50-metre rule – and – they couldn’t give us an answer.”
“So, this is why we told them very well, this 50-metre rule is just a pretext to fine us but it is not the reason. Any law that’s discriminatory is a bad law, the constitution is against it and any law that discriminate among businesses is not a good one, and this one is discrimination,” he added.
Meanwhile, he said: “I am telling you, what I am saying right (here) will speak volume. That means we are one of the highest tax paying companies in this country today. We are paying in millions and then not only [because] that money goes to where, that money goes to government and government uses that money to build projects and these projects come back to the community. So, we are doing our part as far as national development is concerned.”
Mr Hydara continued: “So, if you close these two places that money supposed to be going into government covers (government) will be losing it. What do PURA gain from it nothing? The only thing that exists between us pertaining to these two petrol stations only – and they said there is a rule of 2018 regulation which says a petrol station should be located 50 metres away from residence of public places and that’s why they said Kairaba and Wellingara is not qualified. But we posed the same question to them [that] which area is qualified for the 50-metre rule give us one example? They couldn’t give us one.”
Press Conference
The Managing Director of Jah Oil Company called for equal justice among companies.
Momodou Hydara said: “there are lots of gas companies that are operating within the country without meeting the required distance but they are not fine to pay any money.”
“The place has never been a public property as many people on the social media are saying it’s a public property. The place was owned by a private individual and later sold to Jah Oil Company, and they (Jah Oil) get all required documents,” he added.
According to him when the application for the construction of the place was sent to PURA, there were other ten places that they applied for and relevant stakeholders were present to survey the place.
He disclosed tthat after the survey they came out with a result that indicated all the other locations have quality to operate except two which is Kairaba and Wellingara.
He continued: “50-metre requirement has never been observed by other gas stations that are operating in the country, but why (is it that it is) only Jah Oil (PURA) fined?” When you look around other gas stations, the 50 metres requirement is not there compared to Jah oil,” he lamented.
He said his company is always abiding by the laws of the country and that’s why they paid the fine, adding that the company is really concern about the safety and security of the country. That’s why if you take a look at Jah Oil fencing style, it is always beyond 5 metres high, compared to others.
He said the company is contributing immensely towards the development of the country and also employing lots of citizens across the country.
