By Lauryne Akoth
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority EPRA has ordered the closure of all flooded petrol stations.
In a statement dated 1st May, EPRA noted that the heavy rains predicted by the meteorological department pose a great risk to Energy and Petroleum infrastructures. The authority also expressed concern over Petroleum underground storage tank systems (UST) noting that the floods could potentially damage them.
“These heavy rains and floods may pose a big risk to the Energy & Petroleum infrastructures. Particularly, flood waters or extended periods of heavy rain may lead to damaged Petroleum Underground Storage Tank (UST) systems or discharge of products to the surface,” said EPRA.
“The presence of water in the UST affects the quality of Petroleum products which may lead to the breakdown of motor vehicles,” they further added.
EPRA cautioned retail station owners to ensure the safety of the public and their products by temporarily shutting down flooded petrol stations.
“Any retail petrol station which has been flooded should temporarily remain closed and monitored. The retail stations should assess the extent of the flooding, clean up any debris, and ensure the quality of its products before resuming operations,” said EPRA.
Retail owners were also urged to anticipate any potential environmental impact of the flooding and take appropriate measures to mitigate it.
EPRA also noted that due to the severity of the foods, retail stations should immediately communicate with the relevant government authorities and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with the necessary protocols.
EPRA emphasized its commitment to offering the necessary assistance to ensure the safety of the public and to ensure the quality of petroleum products.