By SYLVESTER MWALE –

TWO Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been fined for breach of licence conditions and contravening the Energy Regulation Act including selling fuel in undesignated and unlicensed depots.
The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) is also set to commence criminal proceedings against Samfuel Limited for blatant disregard and contravening the provisions of the Energy Regulation Act.
ERB public relations manager Kwali Nfuni said Juba Transport Limited and Mount Meru Petroleum Zambia Limited have been ordered to pay for failing to comply with the law.
Ms Mfuni said  the decision to fine the two companies was arrived at during the Board’s last sitting on September 28, this year.
She said Samfuel was found to have been selling fuel at its Ndola and Kitwe bulk storage depots which, were neither designated nor licensed by the ERB as selling points.
“This practice was in disregard of Samfuel’s licence conditions for the retailing of petroleum products and further contravened the Zambian Standard (ZS) 385 Part 2 and 3, and the provisions of the Energy Regulation Act.
“On the other hand, Juba Transport and Mount Meru, have been fined for failing to adhere to their respective licence conditions. Further, Kobil Zambia has been severely warned for selling fuel at a site not licenced by the ERB,” she said.
Juba Transport had been fined for allowing the siphoning of fuel from a fuel tanker at an undesignated location which resulted in a massive spillage, thereby posing a risk to the health and safety of the public as well as pollution of the environment.
Ms Mfuni said this was contrary to the conditions outlined in the Transportation of Petroleum Products licence issued to Juba by the ERB.
Mount Meru was fined for transporting petroleum products after the stipulated time of 06:00 hours – 18:00 hours.
“The tanker was consequently involved in a road traffic accident around 23:30 hours enroute to Kawambwa. This act was in direct breach of Code of Practice of ZS 372: Operational Requirements for Road Tank Vehicles,” she said.
The sanctions were meted out following hearings where the four companies were summoned to appear before the ERB on 31st July 31, 2015.
ERB has also directed the four erring firms to desist from the practices, failure to which more drastic punitive action would be taken against them.
Ms Mfuni urged all licenced companies in the energy sector to ensure that they complied with license conditions and set standards in order to protect life, property and the environment.