MPs urge Govt reduce fuel prices

MEMBERS of Parliament have urged Government to review the price of fuel downwards as it has a bearing on the cost of living.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, legislators attributed the high prices of fuel to exorbitant taxes, which affect the cost of other commodities and increase the cost of living.

Hurungwe Central MP, Godfrey Beremauro, said Zimbabwe’s fuel was expensive compared to neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Botswana and South Africa.

Buhera South MP Cde Joseph Chinotimba said fuel prices in Zimbabwe were unjustified.

“The fuel used in Zimbabwe and Zambia is procured from the same place in Mozambique. It is procured from the same area. Zambian fuel passes through Zimbabwe and goes through Chirundu Border Post and when it is there, it costs 80 cents per litre.

“Mozambique sells fuel at 50 cents per litre. We need to understand. The Minister responsible should explain to us,” said Cde Chinotimba. He said Government has to adjust fuel prices. “It’s not proper to say it is taxes because Zambians that pass through our place when transporting their fuel sell their fuel at 80 cents, yet we are paying $1.36 per litre. A liberated country like us, we should be enlightened as to why our fuel is so expensive.

“We are in a liberated country and we also have liberated ministers. We’re not in Rhodesia. Our goods in Zimbabwe are just too expensive and something has to be done to control fuel prices,” he said.

Mutare Central MP Innocent Gonese said if fuel prices were reviewed downwards, the cost of living would also come down.

“In light of the high levels of poverty, the high levels of impoverishment which the people of Zimbabwe are going through, is it not time for the Government perhaps to reconsider their policy?

“The cost of fuel is high because of taxes. This means that Government should review those taxes to alleviate the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe. The cost of fuel has a ripple effect on people’s lives. It also affects the cost of other commodities,” he said.

Mutasa South lawmaker, Cde Irene Zindi, questioned why fuel dealers were not using Government’s pipeline to transport fuel, which is cheaper than using trucks.

The Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Cde Tsitsi Muzenda, acknowledged that fuel prices were high, saying it was due to taxes.

“It’s true, our fuel is a bit more expensive compared to other counties in the region because we have several taxes we add to the fuel when it reaches here.

“The Government tries to alleviate the taxes but at the moment it’s not possible. However, when the climate is conducive, that will be looked into,” she said.

“Some of our fuel comes through the pipeline. Most of it, but it is not sufficient for all the retailers. That is why sometimes some prefer to use their trucks to get the fuel from Mozambique.”

The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Ignatius Chombo, said his Ministry would look into the issue.

“We need to review downward the taxes and the levies that we charge to ensure that the ordinary person in the street is able to access it. The issue of raising taxes is done annually and is done by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, but the proposals are brought into this House and are deliberated on,” said Dr Chombo.

“I think this issue has been brought up at the right time. It’s the time to craft the budget right now. All that has been said will be taken on board, considered during the process and we will see how we are going to address the issue.” — @pamelashumba1