A Fuel attendant holding a fuel pump at the filling station along Kimathi Street in Kenya. (Photo: NMG).

A Juba City Council official said on Monday the Central Equatoria State government will soon shutdown a number of petrol stations that do not meet the required safety standards.

This comes after a rampant construction of fuel stations mostly in densely populated areas across Juba City raised public concerns.

In December 2023, Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony formed a committee to assess all petrol stations being constructed in Juba and shutdown those that pose a threat to public safety.

Athony mandated the seven-member ad hoc committee to probe the rise of fuel stations along roadsides and submit a report in one month.

Thiik Thiik Mayardit, the Deputy Mayor for Social Service says the investigation, to which he is a member of, will hand over its report with recommendations to close down several fuel stations.

In an interview with Eye Radio, Mr. Thiik said neither the committee nor the state government will be liable for any losses incurred by the fuel investors.

“We have now gathered all our information, and we are going to hand over our report to the governor of Central Equatoria. I know my recommendations which I have given to the minister,” he said.

“We are going to close some of the petrol stations. Whether you have contracted for 30 years, you are going to ask that 30 years from that person who contracted you.”

“It cannot happen that one person can be allowed to kill all the people of South Sudan. It is good for the people of South Sudan that these petrol stations are closed now, and if that person talks, he is one person, and his voice doesn’t matter.”

The committee formed by Governor Adil, is chaired by the state Minister of Trade and Industry and deputized by the Deputy Mayor for Administration and Finance.

Its members are the Deputy Mayor for Social Services, state government’s Deputy Secretary General, Inspector General of Police or the Assistant, CES Commissioner of Police, CES Director of National Security Service, and Head of the Legal Administration and Public Prosecution Attorney.

Deputy Mayor Thiik said the committee will have a meeting on Tuesday February 13, 2024, before submitting the report.

The construction of fuel stations in populated areas or busy streets pose significant dangers in, according to studies.

The hazards include ground-level ozone caused in part by gasoline fumes, groundwater hazards from petroleum products leaking into the ground, and the possible extensive damage if it catches fire.