Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-02-05 05:15:49
The government of Uganda has made it clear that fuel stations constructed in close proximity to each other will have to merge. This directive comes as a response to the congestion within the fuel industry, particularly in the western Uganda districts of Ibanda, Isingiro, Mbarara, Ntungamo, and Rukungiri.
During a sensitisation exercise for the Fuel Marking and Quality Monitoring program (FMQMP), the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) highlighted congestion as one of the major challenges facing the industry. Many fuel station operators in different towns have set up stations without complying with the necessary regulations. Peter Kitimbo, the FMQMP field supervisor, explained that the standard stipulates the distance allowed between two fuel stations. As a result, there is a plan in place to harmonise the locations of congested fuel stations. For example, if three stations are located close to each other, they will be required to merge and operate as one station.
Kitimbo also pointed out other non-compliance issues within the industry, including stations being constructed in road reserves, shop verandas, or operating without canopies. Additionally, many stations violate space standards, operating in areas smaller than the stipulated minimum size of 100 ft x 100 ft. As of now, about 25 fuel stations registered to do business are non-compliant with the national standards for fuel and fuel infrastructure. However, Kitimbo revealed that the compliance rate among registered fuel stations has reached 99.5 per cent, with a total of 4,786 retail fuel stations registered in the ministry’s database by the close of December 2023.
The government introduced the fuel marking program to ensure that all fuel meant for local consumption is marked at the border points to guarantee quality and protect consumers. According to John Friday, acting assistant commissioner of the monitoring and inspection in the petroleum supply department, fuel adulteration has reduced to less than 1 per cent in Uganda due to this program.
Both the ministry and UNBS urged all fuel station owners to ensure compliance with the standard requirements for setting up and operating fuel stations, as well as petroleum products standards. Daniel Nangalama, the acting UNBS executive director, encouraged fuel dealers to embrace self-regulation and uphold ethical practices in delivering services to the public. He stressed the importance of compliance and ethics, emphasizing that the quality requirements and standards specifications for the fuel business have been shared to maximize compliance and ethics.
Nangalama also highlighted the significance of local leaders working jointly with government agencies to strengthen synergies for a smooth flow of information between fuel suppliers, consumers, and government departments. He mentioned the deployment of mobile laboratories with advanced technology for testing fuel quality at different fuel stations across the country, leading to improved compliance rates.
In conclusion, Kitimbo urged fuel dealers to acquire the necessary standards and ensure compliance through self-regulation. All relevant standards for the industry are available on the UNBS website. The government’s efforts in regulating the fuel industry are aimed at ensuring quality, consumer protection, and ethical practices across all fuel stations in Uganda.
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