MASSIVE JOB LOSSES

… as OMCs shun local tanker drivers

HUNDREDS of Zambian owned fuel tankers are being shunned by Oil Marketing Companies in preference for foreign tankers thereby rendering several local drivers jobless.

Owners of the tankers, most of whom got loans are being forced to park their trucks because they are suffering heavy losses.

Unless government intervened, Zambia Union of Tanker Drivers’ president, Mr Bob Ndalama said, more local tanker drivers would be jobless because pleas to give locals more business is falling on deaf ears.

Energy Minister, Mathew Nkhuwa however directed that 50 percent fuel transportation policy must strictly be a preserve of local transporters.

Mr Ndalama said the people who were protesting at TAZAMA on Friday were drivers who do not have jobs because their trucks cannot move.

Speaking from Ndola, Mr. Ndalama said that the drivers protested because they were directly feeling the impact of not having jobs because their trucks cannot move due to lack of business which has been given to foreign truckers.

He said the owners of the trucks where they work have parked the vehicles because they don not have business and that the heat was also on the drivers.

Mr. Ndalama said the government should hear them and reach an understanding before things get worse.

He noted that the government gave the drivers the 50 percent quota but it is not being implemented by OMCs.

“We were given the 50 percent quota but it is not being implemented,” he wondered.

Local tanker drivers on Friday morning blocked TAZAMA fuel depot to prevent foreign tankers from offloading fuel.

A Daily Nation news crew that rushed to the scene found tanker drivers stopping foreign trucks especially Zimbabwean trucks from entering the fuel depot.

One of the drivers, Mr Billion Manengo said that the drivers decided to take the action because the government has failed to listen to their pleas.

Meanwhile, Mr Nkhuwa said the 50 percent fuel transportation policy must be strictly adhered to.

He said Government could even adjust the 50 percent fuel transportation policy once Zambians proved that they were capable.