Expedite fuel tracking system, state urged

ZAMBIA should expedite the implementation of the tracking system for tankers importing Government- procured fuel to curb rampant smuggling of petroleum products, the Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ) has said. Last Friday, a Tanzanian truck driver carrying fuel for a local Oil Marketing Company (OMC) abandoned the tanker after decanting the fuel suspected to have not been unmarked. When contacted for a comment over the development, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the OMC expressed ignorance over the matter despite some sources within claiming that the tanker had been taken to ZRA offices in Ndola. But PTAZ secretary-general Benson Tembo said the tanker was in the hands of ZRA. He added if the country was to curb illegalities in the petroleum subsector, ZRA should implement the tracking system which countries like Tanzania and Zimbabwe were using. Mr Tembo said Government was losing huge sums of money through smuggling, hence the need to expedite the tracking system to stop the scourge. He said it was not possible for any Zambian truck driver to engage in any such illegalities because PTAZ, working with the association of drivers, was able to track each vehicle that was loaded with Government procured fuel. Mr Tembo said once the tracking model was implemented, no foreign tanker driver would have the loophole to engage in any illegal activities in Zambia.