The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) has given fuel retailers three months to correct serious safety and environmental breaches or risk having their service stations closed and licences suspended or revoked.
In a statement released on Tuesday, BERA Acting Chief Executive Officer Pelaelo Kgomotso said recent routine inspections conducted across the country found that a significant number of service stations were failing to meet regulatory requirements.
BERA has already taken enforcement action against some operators, including closing several unnamed service stations over the past few weeks.
The breaches uncovered during the inspections include the absence of oil-spill containment systems or oil-water separators, lack of leak-monitoring wells and inadequate or non-existent operating procedures.
Inspectors also found untrained employees and cases where service station attendants had not been provided with personal protective clothing.
According to BERA, the failures pose serious safety risks to workers and members of the public. They could also result in environmental pollution, including contamination of underground and surface water sources.
The regulator expressed concern that some affected service stations had previously been inspected and had promised to correct the identified problems. However, some operators had failed to take action for as long as four years.
“In some cases, up to four years have elapsed without the inspection findings being fully addressed,” Kgomotso said.
Retailers have now been given September, October and November 2026 to correct all outstanding breaches.
BERA warned that operators who fail to comply during the three-month period could face further enforcement measures.
“Failure to comply within this period will leave the Authority with no option but to take further enforcement action, which may include closure of non-compliant facilities, suspension of licence or revocation of licences,” the regulator said.
BERA urged retailers to review their previous inspection reports, conduct internal assessments and request voluntary inspections where necessary. The assessments are expected to help operators identify and correct areas of non-compliance before the deadline expires.
The regulator will also hold workshops on petroleum compliance requirements in Jwaneng on September 15 and Francistown on September 17.
Retailers operating in the northern part of the country are expected to attend the Francistown workshop, while those in the south should attend the Jwaneng meeting.
