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LPG gas for
sustainability
Use of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
as a substitute to traditional cooking
fuels – Role of the Regulator
By Ben Gasore
O
ver the last five years,
Rwandans have been
adapting to the use
of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
(LPG), a sign of how fast, efficient and environmental friendly the gas cylinders
are when it comes to some
of its uses including cooking.
Asides the six companies in
the country that import and
distribute them, namely; Kobil, SP, Merez, Sulfo Industry, Rwanda Oxygen and
Hashi Energy, the Rwanda
Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), in collaboration
with other concerned Institutions, is there to ensure that
people are offered good
quality service provision of
that cooking fuel at the affordable prices, therefore
ensuring its
sustainable
usage in Rwanda.
“We work hand in hand with
other Government institutions such as Rwanda Bureau
of Standards, Rwanda Developement Board, Ministry
of Trade and Industry, the
Ministry of Infra- structure to
ensure the best conducive
environment for both investors and clients in the Energy
sector,” said Alfred Byigero,
Head of Energy, Water and
Sanitation. in order to enforce national standards as
well as relevant regional and
international standards,” he
explained.
Byigero said the Government is looking at progressively replacing the use of
charcoal and fire- wood with
the use of LPG for cooking
and since Rwanda doesn’t
permit fees stand at Rwf one million
and the LPG business license which is
granted to any operator involved in
more than one of the mentioned LPG
business operations. Byigero said that a
combined license titled “LPG Business
License” is given to operators involved
in more than one LPG business.
Regulating
services
downstream
petroleum
Byigero
said
that,
LPG being a
downstream petroleum product, RURA
specifically deals with infrastructure regulation of LPG facilities, above-ground
petroleum storage facilities and petrol
filling stations. “Aspects of construction,
operation and maintenance are catered
for in the development of related regulations.
Eng. Alfred D. Byigero, Head of Energy, Water and Sanitation
manufacture its own LPG yet,
they were recommending all
LPG operators who are not
yet li- censed to do so in the
nearest future. “Consumers
are also encouraged to purchase LPG from a licensed
operator so as to Benefit from
the good quality it offers.”
The Rwanda Bureau of Standards is entrusted with quality
compliance checks for petroleum products including LPG
while the Regulator carries
out inspections twice a year
to check compliance with
the adopted regulation. The
recommendations are then
shared with concerned operators as and when required
to help them offer better services in line with their regulations, according to Byigero.
As per the regulations’ provisions, there are seven types of
licenses in the LPG business
which include the; importation license, bulk storage
license, LPG wholesale and
retailing license respectively,
bulk transportation license,
LPG plant construction whose
He also added that the VAT waiver by
the Government on gases in 2010 has
contributed to increased uptake of LPG
with the 20Kg being the most sold cylinder. That 18% VAT removal has however been offset by the global increase
of oil products and LPG price, exchange
rate and other exogenous factors. Apart
from the 20kg, the LPGs’ other sizes
include: 3kg, 6kg, 12kg, 15 kg,30kg,
35kg, 38 and 50 Kg. The LPG presents huge efficiencies in cooking and
release less carbon dioxide per unit of
energy than that of coal or oil, thereby
contributing to environment conservation with less emissions of Greenhouse
gases (GHG) into the atmosphere.
[email protected]
LPG Gas for sustainability
GAS
Bringing unmatched services
closer to customers
By Susan Babijja
For any business to prosper or succeed,
its services and products must be brought
closer to the consumers, the very reason
SP Ltd, a locally owned company dealing
in petroleum products has embarked on
in a bid to meet its clientele needs.
Operating with twenty one branches
country wide, the company says
spreading its wings has enabled easy
access of its products not only in the
capital Kigali but even upcountry.
Etienne Kanyamahanga, the Deputy
Managing Director of SP Ltd says that the
company has strategically established
itself in all the provinces with branches
that easily attract clients.
“Now we are putting in much effort to
ensure that our clients embrace the
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) .
We believe the product will enable clients
to save as well as effectively conserve
environment,” Kanyamahanga says.
The LPG product is among the vast
products offered by the company
including: automotive gas, oil gasoline
unleaded, kerosene and paraffin, Engine
Oils, Gear and differential oils, greases,
hydraulic oils and brake fluids among
others.
These products are sold in different
quantities meeting the consumer
demands. They include oils which are
sold in cartons parked in one and five
litres. This product is also available in five,
twenty and 200 litres. Other quantities
are determined by the consumer
demand.
LPG product is largely being encouraged
to ensure that petroleum companies
engage the population in a collective
move towards public commitment
in afforestation and environmental
protection
According to a survey conducted by
AGRICONSULT SPA, a consultancy
firm last year; at least 90 per cent of
all Rwandan households depend on
woody biogas as a primary source of
energy. The survey was commissioned
by Rwanda Natural Resources Authority
(RNRA) in collaboration with the Belgian
Cooperation (BTC).
The findings of the report pose a big
danger on the country’s forest cover
which the government and stakeholders
are working on to increase. Therefore,
SP Ltd says it is time for the Rwandan
population to take on Liquefied
Petroleum Gas to avoid the increasing
the rate of deforestation.
“In 2003, we started putting much
effort in promoting the use of this gas
(Liquefied Petroleum Gas). We actually
started importing the product from
Kenya and Tanzania and we have been
the main supplier of the product in the
country,” he says.
Like any other product, SP brings in LPG
in sizes of 3kg, 6 kg, 12kg, 15kg, 20kg
and 38kg.
The company employs over 50 well
trained workers in its various operations.
This has enabled the company to
stage a stiff competition in local market
against multinational companies. SP
has managed to stand out among
other petroleum companies due to its
efficiency and quality services delivery.
With its roots dating back in 1967 under
different names, the company became
SP Ltd in 2007. Over time, the company
has earned a good reputation in the
industry.
Among other strategies further expected
to promote the company, include the
up-grading of fuel stations to expand
or widen base and capacity to serve
customers, which Kanyamahanga says
that although the company has been
successful, there is still need to further
work on promoting or sensitising the
population about the benefits of using
LPG Gas.
He says that this will significantly increase
the customer base and contribute to
the general objective of environmental
protection. He urges that this should be a collective
responsibility including the government
and other development partners.
He says that SP Ltd is committed to
providing best services while upholding
high standards of professionalism in the
petroleum industry.
LPG Gas for sustainability
Supplying smart cooking devices
to save the environment
By Susan Babijja
Hashi Energy Rwanda has continued to put much
emphasis on the need to shift from the use of
charcoal stoves to Liquefied Petroleum Gas as an
effective measure that will encourage the local
population in directly contributing towards
environment conservation.
Hashi Energy has developed a systematic approach
that will enable individuals, companies, industries,
hotels and restaurants among other parties to
cheaply buy and own an LPG GAS cylinder.
According to the company, hotels and other clients
can lease the cylinders for free and only pay for the
cost of the gas once a valid order is confirmed as
per company’s terms and conditions. The company
also offers free delivery services to its distributors
and commercial clients. Delivery is done within one
hour after an order is placed but the company is
quick to add that this delivery time is also dependent
on the distance to the client site.
Based on the demand, Hashi Energy has LPG GAS
packed in different sizes mainly: 6Kgs, 13Kgs, 35kg
and 50kg. The company also offers flexible modes
of payment depending on the agreement made with
the client. Specifically for hotels, the company does
inbuilt gas tanks which are refilled whenever they
reach a certain agreed threshold to ensure the
hotels do not run out of the commodity. This also
saves the hotels the hustle of having to worry about
bottled deliveries.
In using LPG GAS, Hashi Energy is confident the
population will be significantly reducing on the
negative effects of using coal stoves as well as
ensuring a clean environment for the general public.
It is believed that users will have enough time to
engage in other productive activities since little time
is used in preparing a meal compared to using a
charcoal stove.
Company’s Vision
To be the leader in Energy solutions for Africa
Company’s Mission
Exceeding customer expectations by providing
Energy Solutions while caring for our stakeholders
The company has also developed a very attractive
commission structure and an effective advertising
and promotion of the product.
Hashi Energy has retail petrol stations in all major
towns in Rwanda including Kigali. Hashi Energy
recently launched an electronic fuel management
system. The electronic card, which has both pre-pay
and post-pay options, allows customers to swipe the
cards at the company’s Point of Sales located in all
its retail outlets. The electronic card also allows the
client to monitor their fuel usage through an online
statement which the client can access using a secret
pass code issued to each card holder.
Available in all major Supermarkets and distributor outlets countrywide
www.hashienergy.comCustomer care: +250 78830 6023, +250 78830 6022
LPG Gas for sustainability
By Susan Babijja
O
ne of the leading petroleum companies
in Rwanda, MEREZ Petroleum Limited,
started its operations in the country
close to 20 years back. The company that is
currently operating with ten Petro stations has its
headquarters in the capital, Kigali.
With focus on sales and marketing of a range of
petroleum products for the retail and commercial
markets, MEREZ Petroleum Company will
be opening up more branches with the target
of making fifteen stations by the end of next
year, according to Eric Herbez Mutaganda, the
Managing Director.
MEREZ is currently operational in Nyamirambo,
Muhima and Gikondo. It also has stations in
districts including Butare, Ruhango, Musanze,
Ruhengeri, Rubavu and Rwamagana. Another
station will soon be opened in Nyagatare.
MEREZ does not only lead in the country but
remains a major player in the East African
Petroleum market, with products ranging
from fuel, liquified petroleum gas to lubricants,
grease and kerosene. It employs more than 100
staff serving in various positions.
Although the company has made its reputation
through dealing in petroleum products, it has
also diversified through bringing in new products
including the high quality Liquified Petroleum
Gas (LPG). This product has been highly
recommended for cooking as one of the most
efficient mechanisms through which nationals can
contribute towards protecting the environment.
“Among other services and products we offer,
we need to sensitize the population about the
need to use the Liquified Petroleum Gas; as we
have also found out that there is a misconception
about using this product yet it is one of the most
effective, cheap and environmental friendly
means for cooking,” says Mutaganda.
He says the company has a target of reaching out
to the community in ensuring many Rwandans
are able to use LPG to substitute charcoal stoves,
Promoting clean energy for
a greener environment
• To open more stations
• Allows hire purchase
• LPG Cheap and environmental friendly
which will help in controlling deforestation and
contribute towards achieving the target of having
a 30 per cent forest cover of the entire country by
2020.
MEREZ sell its LPG directly to corporate clients
mainly those involved hotels and Restaurant
businesses. Others targeted are schools and
prisons among other companies, organizations
and institutions.
LPG is available at all the company’s stations.
Trucks have been put in place to specifically
transport LPG to the already big clientele. The
company says that the LPG cylinders available on
the market are of European standards.
Marketing LPG is top on the agenda of Merez.
The company has plans of taking details of the
clients as a means to have a clear and systematic
approach to follow customer challenges whenever
they arise. In line with enabling Rwandans to use
LPG, the company is also working on contacting
employers to enable employees get the product on
a hire-purchase basis.
Mutaganda says that with the arrangement,
employees will be allowed to pay in installments
in a given a period of time.
“LPG is one of the most efficient cooking energies
for both households and Institutions. Using at
least 5,000 tonnes of LPG annually will save
up to 25,000 tonnes of fire wood. This is a big
A Merez attendant displaying LPG at their
Nyamirambo Gas Station.
intervention that will save indiscriminate felling
of trees that would have been cut for charcoal,” he
says.

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