Mwakera Mwajefa
2 April 2007
Nairobi — A row is brewing between the Kenya Revenue Authority and some major oil companies over the introduction of fixed flow metres.
The meters are being used to check quantities of petroleum products pumped into the country.
This, according to sources could be behind the 'artificial' shortages of diesel being experienced in major towns of the country this week.
In Mombasa, motorists complained of having to move from one petrol station to another in search of diesel while many stations are reporting irregular supplies since the start of the week.
Yesterday, speaking on telephone, the KRA public relations officer, Ms Fatma Yusuf, said the installation of meters was meant to check cheating on quantities being pumped into the country by oil companies.
"This is a measure to safeguard revenue collection when discharging oil products at Shimanzi Oil Terminals, Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited and Mbaraki wharf," she added.
She blamed the 'artificial shortage' of some petroleum products on oil companies resisting the new rule.
"There will always be resistance whenever certain measures are put in place to ensure proper revenue collection but this cannot stop KRA from doing its duty," she said.
Expressed surprise
Speaking to the Nation on telephone, the refinery's general manager, Mr John Mruttu, expressed surprise that there was diesel shortage saying their two plants were working to capacity.
Except for early March when we experienced a problem, we are operating at our full capacity," he said.
At the Kenya Pipeline Company - Mombasa terminal, a source dismissed any oil product shortages saying their pumping operations have been running normally.
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