Zambia: Fuel Shortages Return
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Thursday, 15 October 2009 |
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Fuel shortage have affected some parts of Zambia but their has been
noticeable shortages in the capital Lusaka itself since last week.
The government has made assurances that the supply of fuel would
normalize by the end of this week. Zambia has one main oil
refinery company, namely Indeni who have resumed normal fuel
production. Energy permanent secretary Mr Peter Mumba attributed the
shortage of petrol to a technical fault at Indeni that caused a
reduction in petrol production at the firm.
Energy minister Mr Kenneth Konga directed Oil Marketing Companies to
offload their 15-day strategic fuel reserve stock onto the market to
cushion the impact of the current fuel shortages. Tanzania Zambia
Mafuta (TAZAMA) was due to release 700, 000 litres of petrol and 1.5
million litres of diesel soon.
The Zambia Competition Commission is investigating reports suggesting that some oil marketing companies are hoarding Petrol.
The hoarding of fuel is being done with a view to create an artificial
shortage and push up prices. ZCC Executive Director, Thula Kaira, says
hoarding is a criminal offence under the competition and fair trading
Act. The Law stipulates a fine not exceeding 10 million kwacha or a
jail sentence not exceeding five years or both upon conviction.
However the National Oil Company of Zambia had planned closure of the
plant for maintenance work for October and this is the most likely
reason to create disruption in the fuel distribution chain.
PetrolWorld 131009
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