The Sunday Mail
THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has roped in law enforcement agents in its current efforts to clamp down on unregistered liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dealers countrywide and discourage the indiscriminate sale of the flammable fuel.
Engineer Gloria Magombo
About 30 dealers have had their operations shut down in Harare, which is considered the biggest consumer of the LPG and a haven for unregistered operators. Gas merchants play a critical role in the supply chain of the gas, which is mainly used for domestic consumption.
However, unscrupulous operators are making it increasingly difficult for authorities to capture data for tax purposes.
Zera chief executive officer, Engineer Gloria Magombo said the Authority’s efforts will help bring discipline in the sector.
It is believed that the blitz will spread to other cities within the next two months.
“We have started with Harare, which has the highest usage of LP gas,” said Engineer Magombo in an interview with The Sunday Mail Business last week.
“Its usage has increased by more than 100 percent. But we are concerned with the locations it is being sold, which poses danger to human safety,” she said.
The wrong usage, handling or transportation of LPG is considered risky.
“We want them to follow proper procedures and register their businesses in line with the city’s regulations and Zera requirements pertaining to the sale of LP gas,” said Eng Magombo.
The consumption of LPG has more than doubled as consumers seek alternatives to the erratic power supplies.
Eng Magombo indicated that the trade in LPG has to be conducted within the confines of the law. Presently, Zera trains merchants on the proper handling of LP gas as well as the necessary infrastructure required at a selling point.
Regulating the industry ensures that all players adhere to the required standards and avoid occupational hazards associated with handling the commodity.
Merchants are required to have suitable facilities as approved by Zera and the relevant local authority.
Although the market has been recently starved of the precious gas due to constrained production in South Africa, the situation is forecasted to improve in the next fortnigh. According to Eng Magombo, arrangements have been made to get more supplies from Mozambique.
“At the moment, refiners in South Africa are coming back and as a mitigatory measure, most supplies have been coming from Mozambique,” explained Eng Magombo.
Following the shortages, the price of LP gas increased from an average price of US$2 per kilogramme to US$4 for the same unit. LPG is considered more efficient as it produces nearly twice as much heat as electricity, making it an alternative energy source for domestic cooking and heating.
