More
    HomeProvincial NewspapersZERA to destroy 300 illegal gas cylinders

    ZERA to destroy 300 illegal gas cylinders

    Published on

    spot_img

    BULAWAYO –The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is taking a strong stance against illegal Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders smuggled from neighboring countries.

    Over 300 48kg confiscated cylinders, mostly in Harare, are slated for destruction soon. These LPG cylinders, smuggled from Botswana and South Africa, are being resold in Zimbabwe at inflated prices, posing a significant risk to consumers.

    Speaking at ZERA media engagement workshop on Wednesday, ZERA official Engineer Andrew Guri said ZERA is discouraging the importation of these cylinders, citing lack of maintenance and absent owners who cannot address any problems that may arise with the cylinders.

    The energy regulator has identified nine unapproved brands of cylinders, which are being sold by retailers who access these cylinders after paying a deposit in South Africa but smuggle them for resale in Zimbabwe.

    “We are discouraging cylinders coming into Zimbabwe from either Botswana or South Africa because it’s illegal and unsafe. These cylinders lack mandatory maintenance, and the owners are not in the country to attend to them if any problem arises as required by the law,” Eng. Guri said.

    To combat this issue, ZERA will continue its awareness campaign, confiscate, and destroy illegal cylinders found being used by any LPG retailer. This move aims to protect consumers and ensure that only approved and safe gas cylinders are available in the market.

    Last year, ZERA issued a public warning stating that the installation of LPG cylinders and door-to-door gas filling is illegal and prohibited due to the risk of accidents.

    To monitor gas cylinder imports improve use of safe cylinders, ZERA is enforcing new license conditions where only those LPG retailers with cylinder supply contracts with licensed LPG wholesalers will be licensed.

    “No retailer will be licensed if they use orphan cylinders in their business. ZERA is intensifying auditing of LPG facilities to ensure compliance to safe practices including confiscating illegal cylinders, and destroying unbranded cylinders seized from illegal vendors,” Eng. Guri said.

    Eng. Guri said only trained ZERA personnel are authorised to refill LPG cylinders.

    “We are pleased with the collaboration from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education in regulating LPG installers. Recently, it was announced that individuals must undergo apprenticeship training to qualify as installers,” he stated.

    Furthermore, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education mandated that all LPG installers must be certified by ZERA. Installers who fail to meet the necessary standards can face decertification.

    The energy regulator is also working with the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works, and National Housing to develop a regulatory framework to streamline the licensing process and regulate the construction of new fuel retail sites.

    New Ziana

    Latest articles

    Zimbabwe has enough grain up to next harvest – Muswere

    Harare, (New Ziana) – The country has enough grain to last up to the...

    Vendors to get POS machines

    Harare, (New Ziana) – Vendors in the country are expected to be issued with...

    Mixed feelings over partitioning of shops into small units

    Bulawayo, (New Ziana)- A growing number of property owners in Bulawayo's Central Business District...

    Darts clubs shine at tournament

    By Terence Tikiti THE National Darts Association of Zimbabwe (NDAZ) held its National Darts...

    More like this

    Zimbabwe has enough grain up to next harvest – Muswere

    Harare, (New Ziana) – The country has enough grain to last up to the...

    Vendors to get POS machines

    Harare, (New Ziana) – Vendors in the country are expected to be issued with...

    Mixed feelings over partitioning of shops into small units

    Bulawayo, (New Ziana)- A growing number of property owners in Bulawayo's Central Business District...