By Jane Chanda
Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has urged the government to provide a thorough explanation for the fuel shortage, including specific details on consumption, reserves, and import arrangements.
And ZACA says the government’s handling of ongoing fuel crisis is alarming and lacks transparency.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, ZACA executive secretary Juba Sakala said he believed that transparency and accountability were essential during this period when the country was facing a fuel crisis rather than just making empty promises.
Sakala also demanded that the government comes clean about the root causes of the shortage and outline concrete steps to address it, instead of offering vague assurances.
Last week, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) through its public relations manager Namukolo Kasumpa attributed the fuel shortage to cross boarder logistical challenges.
“Specifically, persistent congestion at the Port of Beira, which is likely to execerbating as the government of Mozambican had declared 9th October, 3024, as a public holiday to allow citizens to participate in the general elections, which is likely to cause further delays in loading of petroleum products,” Kasumpa stated in a statement.
But Sakala said the government’s explanation that elections in Mozambique caused the shortage was unconvincing and had created more anxiety among citizens, further exacerbating Zambia’s economic struggles with crippling electricity shortages and a stagnant economy.
Sakala expressed concern over the government’s failure to provide a clear explanation for the fuel shortage that had gripped the nation for two consecutive weeks.
“The government’s response to the fuel crisis has been inadequate and lacking in transparency,” Sakala said.
“Their claims that the shortage was caused by elections in Mozambique are unconvincing and have created more anxiety among citizens.”
Sakala questioned why Zambia relied heavily on fuel imports from Mozambique, citing the presence of Zimbabwean bulk fuel trucks regularly supplying fuel to the country.
“Are we solely dependent on Mozambique for fuel? What about the fuel reserves in Lusaka and Chipata? Are they being utilised effectively?” he asked.
Sakala also expressed concern about the government’s fuel rationing decision, citing a lack of clarity on its duration and scope.
He said this ambiguity had caused panic buying and bulk purchasing, which he said would worsen the crisis.
Sakala further attributed the crisis to the government’s failure to revamp the Indeni Oil Refinery, which he described as a vital component of Zambia’s fuel security.
“Indeni was meant to be a reserve plant, but now it’s merely a selling point. We need to restore its processing capacity to reduce our dependence on imports,” he said.
Sakala said the fuel crisis had compounded Zambia’s economic woes, already reeling from electricity shortages and a struggling economy.
“This is a double blow to our economy, which is already on its knees. The government must take robust measures to address this crisis, rather than resorting to rhetoric,” he added.
Sakala also urged the government to develop a long-term strategy to ensure fuel security, including investing in local fuel production and diversifying import sources.
“Zambians deserve better than this perpetual uncertainty. It’s time for the government to take concrete action to resolve this crisis,” said Sakala.
