FUEL MOVEMENT SLOWS DOWN By PETER SICHALI

TRANSPORTATION of petroleum products has slowed down due to corona virus outbreak, Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ) Secretary General, Benson Tembo has said.

Mr Tembo told the Daily Nation in an interview that yesterday that the slowdown in business was as result of low production by most companies due to covid-19.

“Transportation of petroleum products is going on though it has slowed down because of low demand due to slow down of production by most companies,” Mr Tembo said.

He said he was impressed that drivers had complied with regulation put in place in various countries to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“As an association we are impressed that there is total compliance by our drivers with various regulations put in place by governments across the countries they transverse,” he said. Mr Tembo said petroleum transporters were essential in the economic activities, hence they should remain compliant with regulation and measures put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19. He said drivers had been advised to observe Covid-19preventive measures so that they do not ‘import’ the disease into the country. “We are working to ensure that drivers observe the guidelines by wearing the mask, using sanitizer and other measures put in place to prevent the spread of the pandemic,” Mr Tembo said.

Mr Tembo said petroleum drivers had also been advised against stopping anyhow so that they do contract the virus.