25 percent import duty on petroleum non-existent – Nkhuwa

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 12:58:35 +0000

By MUKOSELA KASALWE

THERE is currently no 25 percent import duty on finished petroleum products imported on behalf of Government for consumption by the general public hence it does not contribute to the increase of fuel price in Zambia.

Energy Minister Mathews Nkhuwa told Parliament yesterday, that the 25 percent was only levied when an Oil Marketing Company (OMC) imported finished petroleum products for its own consumption.

Mr Nkhuwa said there has been a ban on the importation of diesel and petrol by OMCs for consumption purposes from January last year to March 2018 with only an exception for low Sulphur diesel on behalf of the mines by selected OMCs such as Total, PUMA and Oryx.

He said this in response to a question for oral answer posed by UPND Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament, Gary Nkombo.

He affirmed that the 25 percent import duty on finished petroleum products on government’s side was not applicable.

Mr Nkhuwa said the 25 percent import duty was not a component for the price build up for diesel and petrol but factors such as the exchange rate of the Kwacha against the dollar.

The minister said his ministry would come up with robust reforms which would see a fuel price reduction such as engaging the Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba to resort ferrying petroleum products through rail transport and the modernisation of the TAZAMA pipeline from eight inches to 12 inches.