Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) is engaging people in a bid to enlighten them on the safe use of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas.
Zera is meeting residents, pupils, students at universities, colleges and workers at different companies across the country.
Last week, the regulatory authority was in Kwekwe where officials met stakeholders and took them through lessons on safe methods of handling LP Gas.
Zera chief executive officer Mr Edington Mazambani said the programme was part of a broader initiative to educate communities on the dangers of unsafe handling of LP Gas.
Mr Mazambani said the move was necessitated by the need to bridge the information gap.
“As Zera we need to increase our visibility within the country hence this programme.
We need to enlighten the community on renewable sources of energy as well as to educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities.
We also want to hear complaints and grievances that consumers might have against Zera licensed service providers,” he said.
Mr Mazambani said training on handling LP gas can be conducted for those willing.
“To ensure safety standards are adhered to by licensed retailers, Zera conducts LP Gas training for individuals interested in the business as well as encourage members of the public to report any suspected illegal activities within the LP Gas business,” he said.
Mr Mazambani said knowledge gaps among stakeholders will be used in designing future strategies.
He said measures have been put in place to address the problem of mushrooming unregistered gas vendors across the country.
“The authority, in partnership with the police, regularly conducts licensing and compliance blitz to ensure that only those that are trained and licensed as LPG fillers are allowed to operate.
Operators are required to display their licences and those found operating without licences or at undesignated places are arrested and prosecuted,” said Mr Mazambani.
He said Zera is also conducting regular inspections of all petroleum sites.
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