Petroleum Industry briefing at the Serena Hotel, themed ‘Combating illicit petroleum trade. The petroleum sector’s key catalyst, the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda – BETA’, met with representatives from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (@EPRA_Ke) and the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA).
The session was to foster dialogue and collaboration on key industry matters, served as a platform for exchanging insights and strategies aimed at enhancing legal and regulatory frameworks, advancing the sustainable development of the energy and petroleum sectors, and emphasizing the need for surveillance and security in the supply chain.
Dr. Omollo outlined the emergence of threats such as illegal petroleum facilities, adulteration of products, and siphoning along major transport routes. He emphasized the need for intelligence-led enforcement, enhanced prosecution measures, and capacity building across enforcement agencies to address these challenges effectively.
Dr. Omollo highlighted recent government initiatives aimed at tackling illicit trade in petroleum products, including a Rapid Result Initiative targeting rogue LPG dealers and petroleum businesses. As a result of these efforts, thousands of facilities were registered nationwide, and illegal activities were identified and forwarded for prosecution.
Proposing a multi-faceted approach to address illicit trade, Dr. Omollo called for the deployment of advanced technology for monitoring and surveillance, strengthening of legal frameworks, public education, and training of law enforcement personnel.
In conclusion, Dr. Omollo reiterated the importance of collaborative action involving government agencies, industry players, the private sector, and the public to ensure the safety and integrity of the petroleum sector for the sustainable development of the nation.
