NEMA Shuts Down Popular Gas Company’s Storage Facility Amidst Frequent Explosions
The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) announced on Thursday that it had shut down the main storage facility of a popular gas company in Kajiado County.
NEMA revealed that the facility, which trades liquefied gas, was closed after officials discovered that it was located in a residential area, which violated the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (EPRA) license conditions.
During the impromptu inspection, the gas company was directed to stop storing filled gas and develop a risk management plan before continuing operations.
In addition, the firm was directed to relocate its operations to Kitengela’s commercial areas in order to comply with EPRA standards and license conditions.
TODAY: The @NemaKenya took inspections to Kajiado County where different facilities were visited.
— NEMA Kenya (@NemaKenya) September 5, 2024
It was found out that Proto gas which operates a container depot for wholesale and retail of Liquefied gas is situated in a residential area contrary to EPRA license conditions.… pic.twitter.com/EbXlmK20qO
On the same day, the Authority shut down a milling facility in the same area for operating without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license.
During the Thursday noon operation, one person was arrested, and the Authority accused him of violating the previous Improvement order.
Following the crackdown, NEMA officials urged Kenyans to obtain EIA licenses for new projects, Effluent Discharge Licenses for discharging facilities, and provide NEMA with compliance documents.
NEMA’s latest action follows a recent warning that it would take stringent action, including prosecuting all petrol station owners who operate without emission licenses.
In a statement issued on August 22, the Authority directed all petrol stations across the country to obtain emission licenses to avoid prosecution and potential closure.
The directive followed a routine inspection by NEMA officials in Karen, Nairobi, which revealed that some petrol stations were operating without an Effluent Discharge License (EDL).
Similarly, the Authority determined that other petrol stations were operating with expired licenses that needed to be renewed.
“Some petrol stations were operating generators without the requisite emission licenses-emitting pollutants above the permitted levels in line with the air quality regulations,” NEMA noted.
“The Authority issued the non-compliant facilities with stringent improvement orders failure to which they will be prosecuted.”
NEMA Shuts Down Popular Gas Company’s Storage Facility Amidst Frequent Explosions
