Africa-Press – Zambia. UPND Alliance Media Director, Thabo Kawana has disputed assertions by some sections of the media suggesting that Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane announced that Government would increase fuel pump price.
Speaking during a power FM’s Radio Program called power and politics, Mr. Kawana said it’s fake news because the minister only said that Government will do away with fuel subsidies.
Mr. Kawana explained that what the Minister said is that Government will not continue spending the monthly 21 million united States dollars on fuel subsidies to channel the monies to social sectors which will help the underprivileged in society.
Mr. Kawana has since pledged K10000 cash to anyone including Journalists with proof indicating that Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane indeed stated that there will be a problem if Government does not increase fuel pump prices.
And Mr. Kawana further explained that even after a cost reflective tariff prevails, fuel pump price will reduce and significantly contribute towards a low cost of living.
He said Government will be procuring fuel direct from the source which is cheaper as opposed to dealing with middle men. Currently, Zambia imports a mixed petroleum feedstock consisting of crude oil, naphtha and diesel from the Middle East.
This petroleum feedstock is processed at Government owned INDENI Petroleum Refinery and sold to about 18 Oil Marketing Companies to distribute. The downstream is also made of various fuel transporters and dealers contracted by OMCs to transport fuel by road from the fuel terminal and operate service stations respectively.
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