ILLEGAL FUEL VENDORS WARNED

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 14:41:41 +0000

By Violet Tembo

NDOLA City Council has warned illegal fuel vendors of severe punishment once found because of the danger they pose.

The warning was issued after four people escaped death when a house in Old Regiment which illegally had almost 200 litres of fuel caught fire.

Fire fighters who were called to the scene at 03:51 hours managed to save two of the four-roomed house as well as the occupants.

It was later established that the house had 50 litres of kerosene and 125 litres of diesel.

The council has since warned residents to desist from illegal vending of petrol and diesel.

In statement issued by the council’s public relations manager Tilyenji Mwanza, the local authority said it had noted with concern the rising number of illegal vendors in residential areas which were posing a danger to people’s lives.

Ms Mwanza said the local authority will soon carry out inspections in communities to flush out those trading illegally in petroleum products.

She warned that those found in conflict with the law will be brought to book.  “Four people almost died in an inferno that was caused by highly flammable substances in a house.  Residents ought to follow the legal requirements when storing fuel in their homes which should not exceed 30 litres.”

It is prescribed in the Petroleum Act Cap 435, Section 3 which stipulates that they should apply to the Council to obtain a licence to sell fuel.  One has to notify the local Petroleum Enforcement Authority in writing, giving names and addresses of the storage place or the address where the petrol was stored.

“This is not a new requirement but carries forward long standing requirements of previous legislation,” Ms Mwanza said.

Ms Mwanza emphasised that the enforcement by the local authority was not meant to deter people from the trade but to guarantee safety as fuel was a very highly combustible solvent.