South Sudan parliament regulates petrol stations

By Isaac Vuni

March 11, 2009 (JUBA) – Legislators unanimously adopted petroleum regulations for ten states of South Sudan in a vote Tuesday, for immediate implementation in order to avoid loss of lives and properties from unsafe operations at petrol stations.

The parliament held a debate on an investigative committee report, chaired by Hon. Speaker James Wani Igga. According to the investigation, 26 companies are operating in the petroleum industry in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, of which only three are owned by indigenous investors, in partnerships ranging from 2% to 55% of shares.

Critics say that the petrol stations were built without proper authorization and are too close to residential areas. Last October, marks were put on the petrol stations as a signal for relocation but the oil traders have continued to run their operations despite threats of demolition.

The threat to the businesses in Juba, some of which are owned by Kenyans, prompted a meeting recently between Kenyan Foreign Affairs Moses Wetangula and the head of the South Sudan liaison office in Kenya, John Andruga Duku.

Hon. Pascal Bandindi Uru (SPLM, Western Equatoria), who is the deputy chairman of specialized committee of Energy, Industry and Mining, presented the committee report which had been triggered by an urgent motion raised by Hon. David Nailo Mayo on July 28, 2008.

According to Uru’s presentation, certain authorities were involved in “dubious” licensing for the petrol business: (1) Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development issued certificate of incorporation; (2) Industry, Commerce, Trade and Supply issued import and intellectual property rights licenses; (3) Energy and Mining issued operation license for fuel and depot stations; (4) Central Equatoria State Fire Brigade issued safety and fire protection certificates; (5) Juba County Commissioner issued clearance for companies to build fuel dispensing stations and depots contrary to its land use policy; (6) Sudanese Standard Metrology Association issued pumps and stations safety certificate respectively.

Therefore the report recommended that the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure of Central Equatoria State in consultation with Juba County authorities should grant plots of land to legally registered national and foreign companies dealing in petroleum in Juba.

Significantly, all retail fuel stations constructed near public institutions such as schools, churches, airports, hospitals, government buildings are to be dismantled immediately. The owners of affected stations must be compensated by allotment of plots in appropriate locations for dispensing fuel. Also, companies selling fuel from containers are to be stopped immediately and their licenses revoked.

Other suggestions include drawing up a new policy from Energy and Mining for waste management at fuel stations and depots, providing fire fighting equipments and protective outfits at fuel stations and depots.

Hon. Bandindi Uru hailed Speaker Igga for good guidance on petroleum issues. 93 MPs attended.

In another development, John Agweth Malik of Tuich West took the oath of office replacing late SPLA Affairs Minister Dominic Dim as appointed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit effective from February 28, 2009.

(ST)