Safety Fears Over Fuel Sites
Lusaka, Zambia24 – (April 5, 2026) -- Safety concerns over Zambia’s rapidly expanding fuel and energy infrastructure have intensified following renewed warnings about unlicensed developments, with an oil and gas expert cautioning that weak oversight could trigger catastrophic incidents if enforcement is not strengthened.
Jamie Cliffe, Chairman of SMTS Group, has backed calls for stricter regulation by the (ERB), warning that the proliferation of fuel stations, depots, and transport hubs across the country is outpacing safety controls and increasing the risk of large-scale disasters.
Speaking to Zambia24, Cliffe said the sector’s rapid growth demands tighter supervision to ensure all facilities comply with safety and environmental standards before they begin operations.
His remarks follow an ERB directive issued on April 4 requiring that all energy-related facilities—including petrol stations, fuel depots, and logistics installations—must obtain approval before construction and be fully licensed prior to operation, in line with the Energy Regulation Act No. 12 of 2019.
The regulator warned that unapproved projects pose serious safety, environmental, and compliance risks, particularly as investment in Zambia’s downstream fuel sector continues to expand.
Cliffe supported the directive, saying Zambia is experiencing a significant increase in oil and gas infrastructure that must be properly controlled to avoid preventable disasters.
“There’s a massive increase in oil and gas facilities in Zambia now. There’s more petrol stations, more tankers, more depots, more things are being built. We have absolutely got to ensure that these things are built properly,” he said.
He warned that fuel installations present extreme hazards if safety standards are ignored, noting that any major incident could have devastating consequences in urban centres such as and .
“If we have a depot explode, the aftermath could be absolutely devastating for Lusaka or for Kitwe,” Cliffe cautioned.
He further explained that large fuel fires release toxic pollutants, including carbon black, which can severely degrade air quality and force mass evacuations.
“Carbon black comes from burning oil, particularly diesel and Jet A1 fuel. If you have a diesel fire like that, it’s of massive magnitude,” he said.
Beyond fire risks, Cliffe also raised concerns about environmental contamination, warning that even small fuel spills can have far-reaching consequences for water systems, including the .
“What if the fuel gets into the ground? One litre of diesel, if it gets into a river, into the Kafue River, will poison a million litres of water,” he said.
He added that prolonged exposure to diesel emissions can also contribute to serious health conditions, including respiratory illnesses and occupational lung cancer.
Cliffe urged full compliance with ERB requirements, saying strict enforcement is essential as Zambia continues to expand its energy infrastructure.
“ERB are absolutely correct… keep doing your good work because we have to keep this under control,” he said.
The ERB’s ongoing enforcement drive is expected to intensify scrutiny of existing and upcoming energy projects as authorities attempt to balance infrastructure investment with public safety and environmental protection.
Comments
Post a Comment