Mozambique: Rural Service Station Network to be Developed
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Friday, 28 November 2008 |
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The Mozambican government's Energy Fund (FUNAE) and the publicly owned
fuel company Petromoc signed in Maputo this week, a memorandum of
understanding for the construction of 20 petrol stations in rural areas.
Under the agreement, FUNAE will have the responsibility to finance
the construction of 20 petrol stations, and to this end a sum of 20
million dollars is already available, which has been disbursed by the
Government through the State Budget. For its part, Petromoc will
provide technical assistance for the management of these ventures, and
grant its brand name as a way of ensuring product quality.
Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, the FUNAE Chairperson
Miquelina Meneses said that the agreement is the culmination of a
process began some time ago. Public tenders have already been launched
and FUNAE expects to sign contracts with the selected companies, chosen
to build these petrol stations, in early December.
"After signing this agreement we will start discussions with PETROMOC
on a number of issues, including transportation of the fuel", said
Meneses. "Contractors are expected to start construction work
immediately after signing the contracts". Nuno de Oliveira, who
signed the agreement on behalf of Petromoc, explained that this
partnership seeks to improve fuel availability in agricultural
production areas, where fuel is in short supply.
Petromoc sees this partnership as an advantage that will boost the
expansion of its brand across the country, into areas which it has been
unable to reach until recently. The new petrol stations should be
completed by the end of 2009.
PetrolWorld 261108
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