Editor's Review
EPRA has announced plans to introduce a new online clearance system for coal, petroleum and LPG consignments entering and leaving Kenya through border points.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has announced plans to introduce a new online clearance system for coal, petroleum and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consignments entering and leaving Kenya through border points.
In a notice on Friday, October 30, EPRA said it had partnered with the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) to begin onboarding its services onto the platform as part of efforts to improve efficiency and transparency with existing laws governing the energy and petroleum sector.
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"The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) in collaboration with the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade), has begun the onboarding of EPRA services onto the KNESWS, also known as the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), as part of ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency, transparency and compliance with the regulation of Coal, Petroleum and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in consistent with the law," the notice read.
EPRA explained that the proposed system would be used to process and clear consignments electronically at border points, in line with a Cabinet directive requiring all government services to be integrated into the national electronic platform.
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"The Authority is proposing to introduce the KNESWS for the online clearance and processing of Coal, Petroleum and LPG consignments at border points. The proposed rollout is consistent with the Cabinet directive that all Government services should be onboarded onto the KNESWS," the notice added.
Under the proposed changes, licensing and permitting processes will also be transitioned to the platform, with stakeholders required to submit journey plans electronically.
EPRA officers will use the integrated system to verify the validity of licences issued to importers, exporters, transporters and drivers in accordance with the Petroleum Act, Cap 308, and its subsidiary legislation.
The Authority advised affected businesses and individuals to ensure their licences and other compliance documents were valid and up to date ahead of the implementation.
EPRA said it would first conduct sensitisation forums across different regions to familiarise stakeholders with the new requirements, procedures and timelines before announcing the mandatory implementation date.
"Pursuant to the rollout, the Authority intends to undertake stakeholder sensitization forums in the regions to inform licensees, importers, exporters, transporters and other stakeholders about the proposed online clearance process, including the applicable procedures, requirements and timelines," the notice further read.
The forums will also allow stakeholders to seek clarification and provide feedback before the system becomes mandatory.
EPRA has scheduled five regional sensitisation and public participation forums between November 2 and November 6.
"The forums are intended to inform stakeholders on the proposed online clearance process, including the procedures, requirements and operational aspects of the TFP and provide an opportunity for stakeholders to seek clarification and share their views, comments and recommendations," the notice explained.
The first forum will cover the Lower Eastern and Central regions on November 2 at Kenya National Polytechnic in Nairobi.
It will bring together stakeholders from Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Laikipia, Murang'a, Kirinyaga and Nairobi counties.
The second meeting, covering the North Eastern and Coast regions, will take place on November 4 at Hilton Building in Nairobi CBD.
It will bring together participants from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Marsabit, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Taita Taveta and Lamu counties.
On the same day, stakeholders from the Lakes and Western regions will meet at Sarova Imperial Hotel in Kisumu CBD.
The forum will cover Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia counties.
The North Rift regional forum will be held on November 5 at Eldoret National Polytechnic, bringing together stakeholders from Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo and Turkana counties.
The final meeting will take place on November 6 at Sarova Woodlands Hotel in Nakuru, covering Nakuru, Bomet, Narok, Kericho, Nyandarua and Baringo counties.
EPRA also invited members of the public and other stakeholders to submit their comments, views and memoranda on the proposed implementation of the KNESWS.
Submissions can be sent through email to [email protected] or delivered physically to the Authority's headquarters in Nairobi or its regional offices.
This comes days after EPRA responded to concerns by oil marketing companies over wholesale fuel pricing.
In a letter to chief executive officers of oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Tuesday, October 27, the regulator assured them that they will be compensated for excess fuel volumes accessed beyond those factored into current and subsequent pricing cycles.
EPRA said the compensation arrangement was intended to safeguard the country's fuel supply while addressing the financial exposure marketers face due to delays in adjusting prices to reflect changing costs.
"The Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) wishes to assure Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) that where individual OMCs access volumes in excess of the volumes factored in the current and subsequent cycles, the excess volumes will be due for advance sales compensation.
"This is in a bid to ensure uninterrupted supply in the country and to compensate OMCs exposure to the price lag," the letter read.
EPRA clarified that the excess volumes and any additional costs associated with them would be assessed according to a specific order of consideration. It said the verification process would rely on official data from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
"This excess volume and any incremental costs thereof shall be considered on a first in first out basis and shall be verified based on the data from the Kenya Revenue Authority," the letter added.
