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Legislators unanimously adopted petroleum regulations for ten states of
South Sudan 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.
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