STATE ACTS ON FUEL SHORTAGE
THE fuel shortage will end as the commodity has started coming into the country, Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa has said.
Mr Nkhuwa said Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) had ensured that the commodity was imported for it to be readily available in the country.
He said in an interview that at the pace the OMCs were transporting the commodity, the country would have enough for all its needs.
Mr Nkhuwa said the government appreciated the importance of the commodity for the economy hence it had ensured that the OMCs imported enough.
"Right now as we speak fuel is being brought into the country. So the country has enough and I can assure you that at no time
will the country run of the commodity.
“We know how important fuel is to our economy, therefore we have been engaging the Oil Marketing Companies to ensure that fuel continues to flow," he said.
Mr Nkhuwa said the zero-rating of Value Added Tax ( VAT) on petroleum products had encouraged the companies to continue importing the commodity.
He said that the companies were facing challenges in importing the commodity during this period but with the decision to remove VAT, a number of them had enhanced operations.
Meanwhile, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) rescinded policy decisions on cost line, ERB Director General Langiwe Lungu has said.
In a letter addressed to OMCs, dealers and transporters, Ms Lungu said the cost lines that had been rescinded included fuel marking fees, ERB fees and Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF) fees.
She said the decision follows the issuance of Statutory Instrument Number 125 of 2020 on Zero rating on Petrol and Diesel.
The ERB has since issued a new price build up list which will was effected on Thursday this week.
UPND chairperson for energy Charles Kaisala said that there was erratic supply of fuel in the country and appealed for corrective measures.
He said there was erratic fuel supply because the country was bankrupt.