Daily Nation Newspaper

HOW BANKS FUEL SAVING TIPS PERCEIVE THEFOR MOTORISTSO­IL INDUSTRY OIL

Fuel consumers can build a cost reduction culture Banks want fuel to be just one of the products at a filling Station-They want significan­t diversific­ation of product range and services.

- By JOHNSTONE CHIKWANDA

MostMotori­sts in almost all non-oil producing people do countries not complain look at of the cost of Banks fuel. Not as financ- many years ago, ing massive partners. They and protracted perceive Banks protests as be- ing erupted only in interested Iran and in Nigeria depos- its after and government very reluctant reduced to give loans massive and fuel essentiall­y subsidies not in- terested which consumers in pushing had the finan- been cial enjoying inclusion for a long Government time. Agenda. The cost If of a subsidies, survey was to be which conducted had become on public per- ception unsustaina­ble, of Banks ranged by the in gen-

billions of United States

eral public, am not sure, the

Dollars. Maintainin­g subsidies

majority will give favourable

on energy is very costly

feedback.

and comes at the expense

However, Bankers have their

of depriving developmen­t

own story to give. Banks have

in other segments of the

supported the oil industry in

economy.

Zambia for a very long time

In Zambia, Government

and remain committed to

abolished unhealthy fuel

continuing supporting the life

subsidies a while ago. This

blood of the economy-energy

implies that consumers have

sector.

to pay the correct price of fuel. In April, 2011, I interviewe­d the With then the CEO crude of the oil price Bankers Associatio­n on the internatio­nal of Zambia, market Mr. David expected Chewe to continue regarding pub- lic increasing perception and the and exchange the role of rate the not Banks so favourable in promoting in a the COVID-19 growth era, of it the may Petroleum become Industry. unsustaina­ble Below sooner is a flash than back of later the to interview maintain which a status still quo. re- main Unsustaina­bility relevant today. may lead to

The different players in the petroleum industry must en- sure that they focus on areas where they have a competitiv­e imperfecti­ons in the market space as it is advisable to pay a bit more and have it than not have it at all. When price suppressio­n becomes unsustaina­ble, quality can get compromise­d.

Some traders can fail to remain afloat. In case fuel prices Question get increased, I thought Sir, I get of sharing a feeling some that fuel most saving people tips do not which look could at assist banks motorists as financing to control partners the but cost. one just interested in their mon-

 ey and Start swift your to car attack more them. efficientl­y-Do Is there anything not push you the intend accelerato­r to do to break when this you historical­ly start a modern entrenched vehicle. public Back mindset in the to- days wards of your carburette­d members? cars you had to push the pedal to floor once or twice Answer before driving away. There Today’s are various modern roles fuel that injected a bank plays engines in the do bank not - cus- need tomer this relationsh­ip practice. and Infact provid- you can start a car without even

ing finance is just one of those.

stepping on the accelerato­r

Some of the financing require-

pedal. I start my car without

ments from the entreprene­urs

stepping on the accelerato­r

cannot be met from commer-

pedal and it works.

cial banks whose major source

It will work for you and you save some fuel. It may look insignific­ant but you are losing money.

I had little regard for small money such as coins until my South African and West African friends changed my value system.

The importance of not taking small things lightly is further amplified by the late Mother Theresa who once said “we ourselves consider our actions as a drop in the ocean but we know that the ocean becomes smaller because of the missing drop.”

Tyre pressure-Many motorists do not know that there is a serious connection between tyre pressure and fuel consumptio­n. What is even more worrying for me is that most motorists do not even know the recommende­d tyre pressure for their cars.

You are playing with money. You are playing with your life if you do not have regard for knowing the importance of tyre pressure.

The tyre pressure is written in your manual, on the tyre itself and somewhere on the door of your car.

Next time you go to the fuel station, ask a filling station assistant to show you where the pressure is written. It will only take a few seconds to know. Do not brush them off

when they offer to check your tyre pressure for free. They also check your oil and water level for free.

a radio program on ZNBC

Be grateful. Wrong tyre

Radio 2 where each week each pressure costs money just like

one the banks is featuring lack of enough oil or water

and highlighti­ng the key prop- can make you cry very well

ositions for different market

It is not just about tyre

segments. pressure but also the design of Through the tyre itself targeted that is interac- crucial tions to fuel with consumptio­n. different interest groups, Please BAZ do not has also forget demon- to strated check tyre its pressure commitment in your to- wards spare wheel strengthen­ing once in a while. the banks’ This is relationsh­ips encouraged etiquette with their customers. for every motorist. Avoid tyres Through that increase this process, rolling it is hoped resistance. that This the will public cost would you also more appreciate fuel. some of the challenges In addition, banks pay face attention in serv- ings to the their expiry customers. dates of tyres. The We expiry also wish date of to tyres advise is the public written on that the BAZ tyre itself. is collabo- Road

rating with govt. through the Ministry of Commerce Trade & Industry in implementi­ng the MSME Policy. Under this

Traffic Police are supposed to be checking expiry dates on tyres and arrest motorists driving vehicles with expired

agenda, one of the key mile-

tyres. They contribute to

stones we have recorded is

accidents. Road worthiness

to align the classifica­tion of

demands you to use tyres that

MSME between what govt.

are not expired.

was using and the various clas-

We have taken many things for sification­s granted. in I will banks. engage We the now relevant have one authoritie­s common on classifica- this.

tion of the MSME in the in-

 dustry Avoid and at short govt. trips- level. Short trips As which the implementi­ng do not allow for agen- the cies engine including temperatur­e BAZ implement to get to some optimum of the level interventi­ons are usually in not the MSME good at Plan, fuel consumptio­n. we expect the Plan public your perception movements to improve very well. Be patient with yourself.

There is a Question Chinese saying which In conclusion, says, “Be patient is there with any- others. thing you But wish with yourself to say partic- be even ularly more about patient.” the petroleum Impulsive decisions industry in can Zambia be very from costly. the Bankers’ point of view?

The

Answer petroleum industry

is

The business of wanting to drive where you can walk and exercise must be thought through well. petroleum industry are operat-

 ing these Avoid outlets contaminat­ed while others have fuel- leased When them fuel out. prices

go Banks up, the are challenged temptation in cas- es for where criminal the activities business or entity wants unethical to secure behaviour 100% can funding as get this to does a zenith not order. demonstrat­e commitment Unethical fuel to suppliers the project can by the deliberate­ly business mix entity/promoter fuel with

other compounds or supply and hence the encouragem­ent

substandar­d fuel so as to for entreprene­urs to access

lure you with cheaper prices. venture capital funds, capital

They can also do it in order markets or equity from part-

to avoid tragic loses. This ners.

game takes place in many Financing of crude oil im-

countries. There are many portation is largely financed

motorists or transporte­rs who through a combinatio­n of

just believe in buying stolen trade finance products and

fuel and oil. One day you generic products to address

will cry. Days are numbered. the cash flow difference­s in the

Contaminat­ed fuel does production not give you and better distributi­on fuel processes. consumptio­n. In addition, it

has Some a damaging of the distributo­rs effect on own your engine. transport companies while You others may feel have ok for standing now agreements but down the with road your transport companies engine will and give banks up on are you. able to It offer is your solutions craving that for useless address the things financing that is requiremen­ts behind some of different of your troubles. parties in Lift the the value chain. standard Entreprene­urs and say no to must demonstrat­e stolen or contaminat­ed that their busi- fuel. ness Buy proposals from reputable are bankable sources. through There the are business several plans fuel and once saving financed, tips. Take through time the to pe- riodic read through performanc­e and put reporting them

into practice. I will share and monitoring of the credit

some more next week. facility.

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 ??  ?? Tyre pressure-Many motorists do not know that there is a serious connection between tyre pressure and fuel consumptio­n. What is even more worrying for me is that most motorists do not even know the recommende­d tyre pressure for their cars.
Tyre pressure-Many motorists do not know that there is a serious connection between tyre pressure and fuel consumptio­n. What is even more worrying for me is that most motorists do not even know the recommende­d tyre pressure for their cars.

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