County government officials will henceforth be actively involved in surveillance and inspection of petroleum and cooking gas refill facilities to meet the public safety standards. This is in a raft of measures aimed at preventing accidents involving petroleum products.
County officials will be involved in checking facility establishment, weights and measures as well as scrutinising staff qualifications on safety and operations of the facilities.
Traditionally, petroleum and cooking gas refill facilities were located in designated safe areas, away from residential and population areas. But pressure for land for establishment of settlement areas resulted in review of land-use approvals allowing construction of residential facilities within industrial zones.
Speaking during a sensitisation workshop attended by county energy executives and departmental heads, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Director General, Daniel Kiptoo, said: “We ask county governments to collaborate with us in coming up with clear guidelines on exclusive zoning and reservation of land for setting up new petroleum and gas facilities away from densely populated areas.
“For existing facilities, we need counties to collaborate with us in conducting regular inspection exercises to affirm compliance with safety standards and regulations.”
Additionally, county officials will actively identify land within the counties for tanker parking yards.
This is a necessary requirement to stop drivers from parking in residential areas, the roadside and petrol stations during transit.