The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) has announced the results of its periodic inspection campaign on the local distribution and trading of petroleum products. Conducted by the Corporation's Central Committee during the third week of July, the campaign covered 26 fuel stations across 14 governorates, representing more than half of Egypt's governorates. In New Valley Governorate, a fuel station was found to have stockpiled 15,700 litres of diesel and gasoline for illegal use. The Supply Investigations Department filed an official report. In Alexandria, a fuel truck driver was caught red-handed on the Abu Zekri axis selling part of his diesel cargo illegally. Legal procedures are underway, and the driver will be held accountable for the shortfall. The campaign also revealed manipulation in the calibration of nine fuel pumps at four stations. The faulty pumps were confiscated to allow for proper recalibration of the pumps by the Egyptian Assay and Weights Authority (EAWA). Water was also detected in a diesel tank at one station, prompting immediate action to clean the tank and ensure the safety of citizens' vehicles. The committee observed several violations in some fuel stations related to safe operation procedures, due to lack of awareness among some workers of the risks associated with certain practices, such as smoking on site or refuelling vehicles while engines were running. There was also negligence in providing and distributing functional fire extinguishers throughout the stations. Stations were immediately required to comply with safe operation standards, and workers were briefed on the necessary procedures to ensure their safety and that of the station's visitors. Specialised training programmes are being prepared for fuel station workers in cooperation with the training centres of sector companies, along with additional programmes for workers at fuel depots and tanker inspection, aiming to raise awareness and ensure adherence to safety standards. The EGPC has contacted the marketing companies responsible for the stations in question, requesting urgent corrective and preventive measures to address the safety and operational violations identified, in order to achieve the highest standards of safe and optimal operations and model service at all outlets serving the public, whether in residential areas or on main roads. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
