By Tupou Vaipulu Jr
Only one petrol station in Tonga complies fully with the business requirements of the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, the Minister Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata told media this afternoon.
The ‘Utulangivaka Gas Station in Vava’u is the only bowser in Tonga, that is complliant.
Hon. Lanumata said that a report provided to him by his taskforce was very disappointing.
“The only gas station that complied [with the requirements] is the one at Vava’u in ‘Utulangivaka –the rest of the gas stations on the report showed a lot of non-compliance, which is very disappointing.”
The report revealed that most of the gas stations did not comply with the safety requirements.
“Like fire extinguishers, this is one of the things that were inspected before we provided their business licenses –they are not sustaining these things.”
Lanumata said that he would work with the Minister of Fire and Emergency Services, Hon. Piveni Piukala, to shut down the gas stations that are non-compliant.
“Some of these gas stations that are not complying with the requirements are jeopardizing the safety of the people and will be shut down.”
The power to shut down a gas station in Tonga rests with the Minister of Fire and Emergency Services.
There are 40 gas stations total in Tonga; 26 in Tongatapu; 1 in 'Eua; 5 in Vava'u and; 8 in Ha'apai.
However, he said some of them were now starting to meet the requirements, that were found to be unsatisfactory in the report.
