Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has issued a stern warning to operators of gas filling stations situated in residential areas and lacking relevant licenses, signaling a crackdown on non-compliance.
In a decisive move, the Governor personally led an inspection of gas filling outlets in Mvita and Nyali Sub-Counties yesterday, aiming to ensure adherence to safety standards and compliance with County Urban regulations.
The inspection resulted in the immediate closure of four outlets in Ganjoni, Tudor, Kongowea, and Links Road which were found to be operating without the necessary permits, flagrantly violating the law and compromising safety protocols.
The urgency of the Governor’s actions stems from a tragic gas explosion incident in Embakasi Nairobi last week, which claimed seven lives and left over 200 injured.
Gas filling stations have been reminded of the imperative to obtain licenses from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Single Business Permit, and Fire Inspection Certificate before commencing operations.
Governor Nassir highlighted the pivotal role of Mombasa as the primary gateway for imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other petroleum products, however added there is no gas exploration within the county, the coastal city serves as a crucial hub for the distribution of these essential commodities.
Addressing concerns about accountability within the gas supply chain, Governor Nassir emphasized the responsibility of companies supplying gas to ensure that all outlets possess the requisite permits.
“We need to ensure that gas filling stations have all the requisite permits to operate safely, as we cannot afford to compromise on public safety,” said the Governor.
Efforts are underway to streamline the licensing process, with the Governor emphasizing a swift turnaround for permit applications to mitigate potential risks.
However, the Governor underscored that regulatory measures are not intended to stifle legitimate business activities but rather to safeguard lives and property urging compliance from gas importing companies to uphold safety standards without compromise.
“The right way for people to do business is not by endangering the lives of the people We need to be extremely careful, measures are being taken to prevent harm and not to cripple businesses,” He added
In a bid to enhance oversight and enforcement, the County administration has initiated communication with gas importing companies, urging cooperation and adherence to regulatory protocols.
Furthermore, the Governor absolved his administration from any complicity in licensing irregularities, citing a lack of fire inspection certificates across all outlets in residential areas.
Moving forward, sub-county administrators have been tasked with spearheading sensitization campaigns on Single Business Permits (SBPs) while identifying and addressing illegal gas-filling outlets posing a threat to public safety.
As regulatory measures take effect, Governor Nassir affirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing public safety above all else, reiterating that the crackdown on unauthorized gas filling stations serves as a proactive step to avert potential disasters.
Treeza Auma 
KTMN Reporter