Thu, 02 Nov 2017 11:11:03 +0000
By Chikumbi Katebe
ZAMBIA’S local fuel transporters have grown their capacity to deliver the 50 percent volume in line with the good will and confidence expressed by Government.
Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia spokesperson Benson Tembo said Government has given the transporters an opportunity to rise and they were ready to service the fuel needs of the energy sector.
He said the 50 percent volume pronouncement allocation to the Zambia transporters only affirms Government’s confidence in the performance capacity of local transport sector to deliver according to the mandate.
“In the petroleum transportation, Zambians have truly performed and have showed Government that yes, they can rise to the occasion and do better.
“We are looking at the would-be suppliers, because previously we would have suppliers who would come to the local transporters, get all necessary documentation for them to get the contract, and once given the job they forget about the local transporters and begin using foreign transporters,” Mr Tembo said.
The TDAZ president explained that there was massive investment in the sector with many companies acquiring new fuel tankers to respond to the called to meet 50 percent volume of fuel imports.
Mr Tembo said the Drivers’ Association was in charge of the current programme for allocation to the local transporters, and they would like to prove to Government their capacity and further grow the capacity to meet the local market demands for petroleum.
He said going into 2018, Government has hiked allocation from 20 percent to 50percent volume of all petroleum products to be transported by the local transporters.
“Government wants to grow the capacity of local transporters. They must not forsake the local transporters, who have shown everyone that we can transport from Dar Es Salam to Zambia accident free; from Beira to accident free, from South Africa accident free and from Zimbabwe accident free.
“We have competent drivers, and already a lot of fuel transporters have bought tankers to participate and support the good will from the Government,” he said.
He explained that this time around the transporters must understand that steering team was the Drivers’ Association as they understood the needs of Government and the energy market in Zambia.
He said this was a critical position the Government has taken to empower local transporters, and would be suppliers must not bring confusion in the sector, as everything has been set and the benefit for Zambians was very clear.
He disclosed that over K20million has been pumped into the economy through fuel transportation charges and the sector was geared for December 2017.
“As we enter 2018, this is something everybody will be smiling about, our contribution to job creation as a sector with many more drivers being sought for jobs in the coming years,” he said.
He has warned foreign transporters against coming under the pretext of registering their companies as locals but end up externalizing the workforce.
