Fuel services awash with business opportunities

‘MATHATO SEBOKA

MASERU – There are abundant business opportunities that Basotho can open in the petroleum sector as a way to curb the incessant unemployment crippling the country.

This is according to Petroleum Fund Public Relations Specialist, Rorisang Mahlo, who has said opportunities are available in the Mobile Filling Stations enterprises which are “reserved for indigenous Basotho to invest in.”

These are innovative fuel stations with above-ground tanks, unlike conventional underground storage available in various sizes, from small to large volume, built into large metal shipping containers.

Mahlo further mentioned that more business opportunities are open for fuel transporters needed to deliver fuel to remote highland areas where mobile stations could be installed and entrepreneurs can manufacture and sell mobile units locally.

The vision to create jobs has identified such areas in different districts including Tšakholo and Matelile in Mafeteng district, Letšeng-la-Terai in Mokhotlong district, Ha Katse, Sehong-hong, Kolbere and Ha Makunyapane in Thaba-Tseka, Ha Ramatšeliso in Qacha’s Nek as well as Santeng and Phamong in the Mohale’s Hoek district.

“As part of its commitment to environmental protection, the Petroleum Fund conducted a study on oil pollution and identified business opportunities,” Mahlo said.

The study found that millions of litres of used oil can be collected by a few traders and exported for reuse.

Petroleum Fund has already recommended for the Ministry of Environment to create enforceable laws to stop illegal oil dumping.

Petroleum Fund has recommended for the creation of a Used Oil Recycling Centre which could be operated by trained Basotho.

“Oil Collection Process could involve: Workers in vehicle service stations, mines, car dealerships, mechanics and workshops and machinery-based industries,” he stated.

He further noted that specialized tankers can collect used oil and deliver it to regional centres (North, South and Central), establish local facilities owned by Basotho with machines and chemicals to recycle oil and recycled oil will be cheaper than new oil, making it affordable for more users.

Speaking on the possible construction of a national strategic fuel storage, Mahlo the construction is indeed envisaged and noted that it is a core activity of the Petroleum Fund which the Ministry of Energy leads with possible sites identified in Mohale’s Hoek, Berea and Botha-Bothe.

“In terms of the progress of the depots, due to the scale of the project, the focus is currently on building the Maqhaka Depot in Berea. The government has recently finalized resettlements for landowners at this site,” Mahlo said.

Mahlo said that the business opportunities that come with the construction of the Maqhaka Depot include employment for those skilled in such infrastructure, local communities and construction professionals will benefit from short- and long-term jobs, road construction projects to connect depots with distribution networks, fuel distribution jobs as well as health and safety roles related to environmental management and compliance.

Mahlo cautioned people in the safe handling of illuminating paraffin during the cold winter season further indicating that people should never leave paraffin appliances burning unattended for long.

He said it is advisable not to use water to extinguish a paraffin flame as it can worsen the fire, avoid using drink bottles or open cups to store paraffin.

“We must teach children about fire risks so they avoid playing near paraffin. The Petroleum Fund, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, is working on updating gas regulations to reflect modern safety needs and ensure monthly inclusion in pricing systems,” Mahlo said.

“People should not throw, drag or roll gas cylinders, do not use rusty or discoloured cylinders as they may leak, avoid using gas in poorly ventilated areas, do not use gas in areas with strong wind, always turn off gas when not in use, keep cylinders upright at all times, do not store 48kg gas cylinders inside the house and indoor use is restricted to cylinders up to 19kg in size,” he stated.

He said people should switch off vehicles while refuelling, not to smoke at the refuelling station due to fire hazards, not to use mobile phones or electrical devices while refuelling and keep the fuel tank cap closed at all times unless actively refuelling.

He also further advised that fuel users should use approved steel or plastic containers for fuel transfer.