Parking yards for fuel tankers to be ready by December

Transporters of petroleum products will be provided with special parking yards by the end of this year to enhance public safety along the busy Northern Corridor.

Linus Gitonga, the head of petroleum affairs at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), said the facilities will be provided at strategic points on the two main corridors linking Mombasa to Malaba and Busia.

“We are fast-tracking the evaluation of bids by those who have expressed interest in the development of these facilities and we hope to have the programme implemented before the end of the year,” Mr Gitonga told the Business Daily.

Private sector players will provide the parking bays and earn revenue from fees charged on truck owners. The proposed location of the parking yards will be vetted by a team of industry experts before the developer is given the go-ahead to build. The facilities will also be licensed and published by the ERC.

“We target as many yards as conveniently possible but their number and location would have to be economically sensible so that that the developers can earn investment returns from the fees charged,” Mr Gitonga said.

The regulator has set a raft of tough conditions for the construction of the yards. Developers will be required to have a minimum land size of two acres, located not more than two kilometres from the main highway and at least one kilometre from areas of residence.

ERC further said the yards should be accessible through all-weather roads, have adequate water storage and fire fighting equipment, clean accommodation and boarding services for the drivers and alcohol-free restaurants and prayer rooms. They should have ample security and special facilities to administer alcohol tests for departing drivers.

The government in January published new regulations to deal with rogue transporters.