Fuel challenge due to shipping delays- Chikote

By Ruth Chayinda

Energy Minister MAKOZO CHIKOTE has explained that the petroleum challenge that was experienced in the last 14 days was due to delay in the berthing of a ship carrying petrol at port Beira.

Mr. CHIKOTE said the ship has been attended to.

He said the mission in  Mozambique was then  engaged to ascertain the situation on ground and determine the extent of delays at the port of Beira and help resolve any matters that may arise.

In a ministerial statement in the National Assembly, The Minister also stressed that OMCs are re-routing their trucks through Chaninda border to avoid paying the transit deposit in Zimbabwe which ranged from 22 thousand dollars to 30 thousand dollars.

Mr CHIKOTE however said that the Government is monitoring the fuel situation in the country and has urged the public not to engage in panic buying.

And Mr. CHIKOTE has disclosed that the Government has paid over 8 hundred Million dollars towards debt owed for the supply of petroleum products.