EPRA rolls out sensitization campaign on compliance to energy regulations

Source: Capital FM Kenya
Author: Ojwang Joe

KISUMU, Kenya, Apr 16 -- The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has embarked on a public sensitization campaign on compliance with electricity and petroleum products regulations to avert loss of lives and property.

EPRA Deputy Director in charge of Public Education and Advocacy, Ann Kiprotich, said the sensitization sessions will help cushion the public from dangers posed by the products.

Kiprotich noted adherence to the rules will guarantee minimum injuries and losses due to mishaps while handling electricity and petroleum products.

"The biggest challenge we have is lack of compliance and non-conformity and we are speaking to the public in the language they can understand," she told a forum in Kisumu on Monday.

She said members of the public had a role to play in ensuring safety while using energy and petroleum products.

Kiprotich said EPRA will use the sessions to build collaborations and partnerships.

She noted that the sessions will also create awareness on the mandate of EPRA.

Regrettably, she said, oftentimes members of the public have engaged unqualified personnel to connect their electricity thus leading to hazards.

"We are here to raise the awareness on electricity installation to ensure that the people making installation are certified and competent," she said.

During the sensitization sessions, EPRA will meet electrical technicians, solar technicians, electrical contractors, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stakeholders.

"In LPG, we are meeting the dealers, transporters, retailers and wholesalers in the value chain of the petroleum sector," said Kiprotich.

She further noted that the boda boda riders and tuk tuk operators will also be taken through the sessions since they are the major transporters of LPG for domestic use.

"We needed to sensitize them on proper handling and what the law addresses, because most of them do not know the threshold to carry, since we may see a boda boda carrying more than three gas cylinders and that is not allowed by the law," she said.

Kiprotich said EPRA is keen to realize consumer protection and will strive to balance the interests of the stakeholders and investors, against those of consumers.