21 Jun 2023

The newly established acts of the Botswana Energy Regulation Authority (BERA) that will regulate buying and selling of gas will be implemented beginning of September after thorough consultations with consumers stakeholders. 

This was shared by BERA representative, Mr Batsumi Rankokwane during a public awareness campaign on the approved Liquefied Petroleum Gas Regulations in Serowe on Tuesday.

Mr Rankokwane said in their quest to apprise the public with the background of the business operations, they came across complaints from consumers about dealers who allegedly hiked gas prices, especially during the winter season, as well as complaints about gas durability, which was said to be inconsistent and bred doubts around the quality of the commodity.

Mr Rankokwane said research discovered uncompensated injuries and damages to property as well as environmental pollutions that were brought about by gas business operations, which compelled BERA to enact regulations that would help level the ground for consumers and those in the gas business. 

He said the research involved gas suppliers, government institutions and the public.

The regulatory acts, he said, were signed and published in the Government Gazette September last year, but were not implemented immediately, to allow for consultation with the public and gas companies, so that when implemented, both parties would be on the same page.

Mr Rankokwane said some of the licenses to be issued would be for wholesale business, bulk transportation, cylinder  transportation, retail and storage business as well as consumer installations for locals meeting set criteria.

“Hundred and three licenses have been issued and only less than 10 are in operation with the rest being rented out to foreigners. 

This really worries us because gas is one of the businesses reserved for Batswana, but is dominated by foreigners,” stated Mr Rankokwane. He explained that the acts gave the organisation powers to regulate prices and protect consumers because previously, the interest of the business operators were all about making money.

He also explained that with the new rewgulations the conflicts brought before BERA involving businesses and consumers would be resolved swiftly.

Engineering manager at BERA, Mr Gift Bakumbi said requirements for license acquisition included proof of technical ability in possession of a storage facility or hospitality agreement with another license, environmental authorisation or an exemption issued by the relevant department, possession of necessary requisite skilled personnel, provision of engineering drawings including site layout certified by a registered engineer and indicating all the installation details as required by the approved standards and specifications, proof of financial capability such as a copy of the most recent audited financial statement or where such was not available, management accounts certified by a registered accountant.

Mr Bakumbi advised consumers that when purchasing gas from a dealer, they must ensure the receipt included the quantity of the gas cylinders sold, transported or re-filled, the date of the transaction, the brand name of the product/cylinder, the net weight and the tare weight of the cylinder, the unit price per cylinder and the cylinder serial number and unique identification number for ease of tracing and follow up in case of theft or dissatisfaction.

Failure to follow such will be an offence. Ends