THE increase in the number of illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) filling stations in various suburbs of Bulawayo is posing a serious threat to life and property amid concerns over the rise in fire incidents.
Bulawayo chief fire officer Nhlangano Moyo said the city was experiencing a proliferation of illegal LPG gas selling points.
“Like two weeks ago, we conducted raids, but you know, you raid today and by next week, they are back on the streets,” Moyo said on Tuesday at a disaster preparedness workshop sponsored by the European Union.
Government departments that were represented are Local Government, Environmental Management Agency, police, army and Department of Civil Protection. The World Food Programme and World Vision Zimbabwe were also represented.
“So we have gas stations that are mounted along the roads, just to give an example,” Moyo said.
Moyo lamented that the LPG vendors were not following safety procedures.
A Pelandaba woman LPG vendor, recently died following an explosion at her house.
The explosion also destroyed a neighbour’s house.
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Moyo blamed unemployment and economic hardships for driving many into illegal LP gas vending in a bid to eke out a living.
He expressed concern over an increase in fire incidents in the city.
Local Government ministry deputy director John Misi urged local authorities to be tough on illegal LP gas vendors to save lives and property.
“We should do more on prevention,” Misi said.
“I urge local authorities to deal with the emerging issues.
“Enforcement is lacking on the part of local authorities and government in this policy.”
He said the problem of illegal gas vending had been ignored for too long.
“We want local authorities to institutionalise disaster risk management by prepositioning our resources to prevent disasters, and do a lot to prevent them,” Misi said.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority last year shut down more than 70 unlicensed fuel stations suspected of selling petroleum products from unauthorised suppliers and failing to meet regulatory standards.
Between January and July 2024, over 130 LPG retail sites operating without the necessary licences were closed.
