Government has said it will only announce fuel prices on
the gazetted 5th of every month and the public should ignore false claims
regarding price hikes that have been circulating since long queues resurfaced
at service stations.
Social media has been awash with claims that there is an
imminent fuel price increase. The false claims are alleged to have triggered
hoarding of the commodity while suppliers are allegedly withholding petrol and
diesel.
The fuel shortages have worsened in Bulawayo in the past
few days with some motorists spending more than 48 hours in queues but still
not getting the commodity.
Motorists had during the initial stage of the national
lockdown from 30 March to April 19 enjoyed improved fuel supplies as most
people were stuck at home.
The fuel situation is also threatening economic activities
at a time when local industry is supposed to produce adequately for the local
market.
The Covid-19 imposed national lockdown has minimised
imports and industrialists have said fuel becomes a critical factor if they are
to effectively produce.
Chronicle observed that while most fuel service stations
did not have the commodity yesterday those which had the commodity were
characterised by long winding queues.
Motorists said after spending two days in queues, they were
not guaranteed that it was going to be delivered.
“I queued at a Trek service station on Tuesday and
Wednesday. I was not able to get fuel but Total Service Stations had it. I
finally decided to brave the long queues at Total on Thursday but fuel ran out
before I could buy. Today I left my car at Total but I’m being told Engen
Service Stations are the only ones with fuel in Bulawayo. This is so
frustrating, I can’t spend every hour of every day queuing for fuel,” said Mr
Sikhulile Sibanda of Gwabalanda suburb.
Ms Marjorie Moyo of the same suburb said: “Maybe it is true
that the price of fuel will soon go up. I think service stations lie to us that
they have run out, so that they can sell petrol after a price hike has been
announced.”
Minister of Energy and Power Development Advocate Fortune
Chasi said Government will follow laid down regulations on fuel prices.
According Statutory Instrument 270 of 2019 fuel prices
should be determined using the previous month’s international market prices and
announcements done on the 5th of every month. He said Government cannot play to
the gallery on issues to do with fuel prices.
“We will just stick to the law. We can’t work on the basis
of speculations,” said Minister Chasi.
On the other hand, Zera acting chief executive officer
Engineer Edington Mazambani said the fuel supplies should improve over the
weekend, as there was a challenge in procurement.
“The current shortages are attributed to fuel logistical
glitches experienced in the fuel procurement system by oil companies which
created a gap in supply chain resulting in the demand surpassing supply.
Supplies are expected to improve to match the increased demand,” said Eng
Mazambani.
He said while lockdown has eased pressure on fuel supplies
the re-opening of the economy has seen an increase in the commodity demand as
was before.
“It is true that the relaxation of the restrictions put in
place during the initial phase of the lockdown has led to increased economic
activity, increased movements of vehicles. The artificial surplus experienced
during the first phase of the lockdown has therefore disappeared. Plans are
underway to improve supplies by this weekend,” he said, although not explaining
how they will do it.
Eng Mazambani said the permanent solution to the fuel
problem lies in the country generating foreign currency.
“The solution to the fuel supply is realised when there are
adequate supplies of foreign currency to procure fuel against all the other
national needs. For that to happen, the country must be able to produce and
export goods and to an extent where exports exceed imports. Efficient use of
the precious liquid will also go help bridge the gap,” said Eng Mazambani.
He said lockdowns in various countries has not impacted on
the country’s fuel supplies.
An industrialist and Association for Businesses Zimbabwe
chief executive officer Mr Victor Nyoni said fuel shortages were having a
negative impact on the economy, especially during the national lockdown.
“We need to appreciate that fuel is driving all the
production in the economy so fundamentally that without it, companies’
productivity is affected. This forces businesses to source fuel from other more
expensive sources. Businesses have to recoup the extra cost somehow. At the end
of the day the cost is passed on to the consumers,” said Mr Nyoni. Chronicle
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