In an effort to improve business practices and ensure the quality of goods in Sierra Leone, Chief Minister Dr. David Moninia Sengeh led an on-the-spot inspection at Sani Abacha Street, one of Freetown’s bustling trading hubs.
The visit aimed to engage local businesswomen and traders on ways to strengthen their contribution to the national economy.
Accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Trade, Standards Bureau, Consumer Protection Agency, and Pharmacy Board, the Chief Minister and his team also inspected shops and stalls for expired products and substandard goods.
Dr. Sengeh revealed that some expired products were discovered being sold by both shop owners and petty traders, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of regulations.
During the visit, Dr. Sengeh commended the National Revenue Authority (NRA) for consistently issuing Goods and Services Tax (GST) receipts to businesses and praised the regular inspections carried out by GST compliance officers.
He noted that while the prices of some products have decreased, others remain high, reflecting market imbalances.
This visit is in line with the government’s ongoing commitment to fostering a safe and sustainable business environment for Sierra Leoneans, aiming to enhance the livelihoods of citizens while protecting consumers from unsafe products.