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Abigail Mawonde Herald Correspondent
Harare City Council has threatened to shut down petroleum outlets operating without licences. The companies did not renew their licences upon expiry. In an interview recently, the city’s acting corporate communications manager, Mr Michael Chideme, said council had given operators a grace period of two months.
He said failure to comply would see council shutting down the outlets.
Mr Chideme would not divulge the names of the offending businesses.
“City of Harare is aware that some petroleum and flammable liquid dealers are operating without valid licences in violation of Government Notice No 1026 and 1027 of 1949.
“A registration certificate in respect of the storage of petroleum and flammable liquids expires on the 31st of December each calendar year for the year it is issued and must be renewed within seven days hereafter.
Council is going to close down and penalise those who remain non-compliant in the next two months from the date of notice,” he said.
Mr Chideme said some of the business professed ignorance of a reminder from council to comply.
“We are encouraging everyone who has not renewed their licences to do so in the shortest time possible. Paying licences funds service delivery and helps council stay afloat. If one is licensed they trade freely without fear of arrest or closure , said Mr Chideme.
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