Economy

Energy watchdog to hire special fuel monitors

fuel pix

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is planning a major purge on the dumping and adulteration of fuels. FILE PHOTO | NATION

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is planning a major purge on the dumping and adulteration of fuels even as State drags its feet in approving the watchdog’s new powers.

The regulator has advertised for bids for the supply of test kits and special labelling for petroleum products.

“ERC requires the services of a reputable firm(s) to mark and monitor petroleum fuels in the country with a view of eliminating diversion of export petroleum products and adulteration of petroleum motor fuels with domestic kerosene,” it said Tuesday.

Linus Gitonga, director of petroleum at ERC, said the agency plans to tackle fuel dumping and adulteration in line with the Products Quality Management Regulations 2014 that the Energy ministry is expected to approve.

Under the proposed regulations, petroleum products for export and kerosene for domestic consumption will have a special mark to reduce dumping and adulteration.

ERC will also provide test kits at pump stations and depots at subsidised prices to help deal with the menace.

READ: Special kits to help motorists check for fuel contamination

Offenders will face a fine of Sh5,000 for each day their products remained non-compliant and Sh1 million for staying without the label. Selling sub-standard products will attract a fine of Sh1 million same as those offering marked motor fuels locally.

The present Petroleum (Amendment) Rules 2000 have been criticised for being lenient on offenders as they only provide for a Sh500 fine for each day an offence is committed.

Under the new regulations, second-time and subsequent offenders will be charged Sh500,000 and their licences suspended for a minimum three months while those found guilty of re-opening non-compliant sites will face a Sh2 million penalty.

“The regulations provide for suspension from operations by way of sealing of tanks for all non-compliant sites and road tankers until the Commission is satisfied that  the subject operators have paid fines and penalties to KRA and that reasonable mitigating measures have been put in place,” ERC said.

Kenya has registered a rise in the number of cases of fuel adulteration by people seeking to draw huge profits.

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