Country wide fuel shortage worries stakeholders

Opposition Patriots for Economic Progress PeP President Sean Tembo has bemoaned the shortage of fuel country wide. Mr. Tembo says if the matter is not addressed as soon as possible, it will likely affect the economy. He has since called on Government to rectify the matter as soon as possible.And motorists in Eastern Province have complained that the critical shortage of fuel has affected their businesses.The motorists have demanded answers from the Government over the fuel shortage.Meanwhile, Eastern Province Minister Makebi Zulu says the fuel Shortage had been necessitated by the depreciation of the kwacha against other major convertible currencies coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic.Mr. Zulu however says Government has put up measures that will cushion the problem.He says Government has removed exercise duty on diesel and 16% Value Added Tax VAT to allow players on the market to continue supplying fuel.Meanwhile, Kitwe has run out of fuel.A check yesterday discovered that almost all service stations in the city did not have supply.The Minister of Energy is yet to issue a detailed statement over the matter. Meanwhile, a PF Senior member Gershom Phiri has urged Government to rectify the shortage of fuel in the country immediately.A National wide fuel crisis is looming and this has seen major cities going for days now.Chipata and katete districts are among other districts affected.Mr. Phiri says if the matter is not resolved, the party is likely to lose this year’s elections.He said this in a press statement made available to Mafken Radio.