Let benefits of reduced fuel price trickle down to consumers – zaca

By OLIVER SAMBOKO and MUKWIMA CHILALA

GOVERNMENT must ensure that the benefits of the fuel price reduction trickles down to consumers by compelling providers of goods and services to reduce prices, Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) Executive Secretary Juba Sakala has demanded.

Mr Sakala said ZACA has welcomed the reduction of pump price of fuel which, he hoped would bring relief to consumers.

He said the reduction should not only benefit businesses such as transport operators but also citizens through reduction of transport costs.

Mr Sakala said ZACA is concerned by unwillingness by stakeholders to respond to the reduction of fuel price.

Meanwhile, some stakeholders have expressed concern over the monthly review of petroleum products prices by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB)   in which petrol and diesel prices have been reduced in its first review.

The ERB announced the reduction in fuel prices after conducting its first monthly price review which saw petrol being reduced by K1.32 while diesel had been reduced by K1.22.

Energy expert Boniface Siliya Zulu that the monthly reviews of fuel prices by ERB was not attainable for the country as it may bring about instability in the sector.