Fuel Shortage in Zambia: PTAZ Blames OMCs’ Use of Foreign Transporters
By Rosemary Kamanga
The Petroleum Transportation Association of Zambia (PTAZ) has confirmed that there are enough local fuel tankers to supply fuel within the country.
Association Secretary General, Benson Tembo, stated that more than 1,600 tankers are registered with the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).
Mr. Tembo told ZNBC News that the growth of oil transportation companies has been increasing consistently since 2017, with more companies coming on board with additional trucks.
However, he noted that the major cause of the fuel shortage is the oil marketing companies (OMCs) opting to use foreign transporters.
Mr. Tembo explained that this decision led local transporters to supply fuel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they were given long-term contracts.
He added that following a policy change in Zimbabwe, which prevented OMCs from using Zimbabwean tankers, the OMCs found no local tankers available.
Trade expert Gilbert Nkamba commented that transportation is governed by transit rules bound by regional and international trade disciplines. Mr. Nkamba emphasized that all countries have their own transit rules, which are mostly applicable at the point of entry.
