Good news for schools after the State Department for Petroleum announced that it is seeking to spend KSh2.5 billion from the fuel anti-adulteration levy on constructing gas facilities in schools and public institutions.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Petroleum, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Mohammed Liban when he appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Energy recently revealed that he has written to the Treasury to allow for the spending of the levy on the construction of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in public schools, health facilities, prisons and the National Youth Service (NYS).
The PS revealed that his Ministry has already mapped out 7, 000 public schools that have expressed interest in being fitted with LGP.
“Over 7, 000 schools have expressed interest. Nearly 70 per cent of these schools use firewood for cooking. Our strategy is to start with public schools then public institutions, hospitals, prisons and NYS,” he said.
Liban, further said that they are looking to construct LGP facilities in 300 to 500 schools annually with the budgetary allocation for the Financial Year 2024/2025.
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The PS revealed that his ministry has advertised for procurement of the LPG for public institutions and NEMA currently is undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment to ensure the safety of the LPG facilities.
“We will be an alternative to mattresses which students burn when there is a riot. We will have a parameter fence on these facilities to ensure students don’t access it.
“We will also undertake education and sensitise the students and the school management on the safety and security issues,” he said.
The law requires payment of the anti-adulteration levy on all illuminating kerosene imported into the country for home use.
The levy was introduced through the Finance Act 2018 following an amendment to the Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act 2016.
By Vostine Ratemo
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