The Eastern Equatoria government has given six months to the owners of fuel stations to construct underground tanks or they have to close down.
State Director of Civil Defence Cyprian Odiongo announced that the decision followed a fateful incidence on Wednesday when a Kenyan trader lost property worth 140,000 pounds as fire gutted his hardware shop.Col. Odiongo said managers of fuel station that still use external tanks should build underground storages to minimize risks of fire outbreaks.
He cautioned business owners, and private and public institutions to purchase fire extinguishers and place them at their premises, to deal with emergency fire outbreaks.
Col. Odiongo lamented poor building arrangements and lack of escape routes at Torit market.
He explained that overcrowding helps fire spread faster.