Govt Adopts Measures To Track Fuel Movement, Stocks, Vehicles Involved

Cabinet has adopted several measures to address the fuel crisis. This was revealed by Information Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday in Harare.

Reading out several other decisions made by Cabinet, Mutsvangwa said that Cabinet lamented over an open disregard of the contract between the government and players in the energy sector. This follows reports suggesting that some players reject electronic payments whilst some divert fuel to the parallel market. Mutsvangwa said:

Cabinet accordingly directed as follows: the urgent roll-out of the Matsimba Technology, which will enable Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority to remotely monitor the movement of fuel from the depot to the service station, fuel stocks at service stations, fuel dispensing activities at service stations, and the vehicles involved. A Ministerial statement will soon be issued to spell out the modalities in that regard; and that ZERA inspectors should be firmly on the ground and should immediately withdraw operating licences of those service stations caught engaging in the above-indicated malpractices.

She added that the Energy Ministry was already working on providing sustainable solutions to the issue. Her remarks were echoed by Energy Minister, advocate Fortune Chasi, who at the same occasion observed that the government was working to ensure availability of fuel.

Chasi also warned some players who were abusing the foreign currency facility by selling it on the parallel market.  He also warned those who are diverting fuel onto the parallel market saying that the government will “sooner rather than later,” revoke their licences.

More: The Herald