The ManicaPost
Blessing Rwizi Business Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is set to open an office in Mutare by the end of this year to condense fuel crimes such as illegal fuel vending and operating without fuel quality assurance across Manicaland.
Representing ZERA executive director at a meeting held with Mutare energy operators at a local hotel last week, Engineer Andrew Guri revealed that this would be the second station in Zimbabwe, following the one in Harare.
He said by April next year, the organisation was targeting to have opened another station in Bulawayo.
The Harare-headquartered organisation has been moving around Zimbabwe regulating the procurement, production, transportation, transmission, distribution, importation and exportation of energy derived from any energy source as it is mandated to do.
It is currently undergoing an outreach programme across the country, to raise domestic consumers’ awareness on energy efficiency, alternative energy and LPG.
The programme targets to cover 90 percent of consumers in high-density areas and small business communities.
Statistics reveal that ZERA conducted 80 fuel inspections in Manicaland by the end of 2016. Each operator was expected to score at least 70 percent from its structures and fuel quality assurance, during the inspection, but 43 of the 80 inspected operators in Manicaland were below 70 percent.
ZERA also had three fuel blending cases, 10 fuel contamination cases and 23 cases of illegal operations in Mutare in 2016. The sites were closed down and the operators were taken to court.
“We are worried with the way people are handling fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Mutare. Petroleum accidents are very catastrophic when they happen and they claim lives of innocent people. It is important for operators to know the right structure set ups for fuel and LPG. We are hoping that the establishment of an office in Mutare will bring a positive change,” said Eng Guri.
He added that the Petroleum Act has been reviewed to introduce penalties for handling and storage of petroleum products in or at unapproved sites and unlicensed facilities.
“We are having problems with people who after having their poor structures closed and taken to court get back to reopen.
“We are aiming at closing these loopholes. The Petroleum Act has been reviewed to introduce penalties for handling and storage of petroleum products in or at unapproved sites and unlicensed facilities.
“The police will definitely intervene and arrest anyone who fails to comply with the orders or requirements of ZERA,” he said.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is a statutory board established by the Energy Regulatory Authority Act (Chapter 13:23) of 2011, it is mandated to regulate the procurement, production, transportation, transmission, distribution, importation and exportation of energy derived from any energy source.
Its target is to be a leader in energy regulatory excellence by 2025 as well as to provide a level playing field for safe, reliable and sustainable energy supply through effective regulation.
