By MILDRED KATONGO –
THE Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has warned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and service stations to comply with the Board’s directive to reduce the fuel prices or risk being closed.
Following complaints from members of the public, the ERB has since dispatched inspectors to monitor adherence to the directive to reduce pump prices.
The ERB has reduced petroleum wholesale and pump prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene by K1.20, K0.68 and K1.22, respectively.
ERB senior manager consumer and public relations Fred Hang’andu said the Board would now take drastic measures against OMCs and service stations that failed to comply with the directive.
“It should be noted that the reduction of fuel prices took effect from January 3rd at midnight. Therefore, OMCs and service stations are hereby warned that failure to comply with the directives of the ERB constitutes a violation of licence conditions and will attract sanctions,” he said.
Mr Hang’andu said the immediate measures that would be taken included the closure of service stations, among other sanctions.
He said in a statement that ERB had received complaints that some service stations were not complying with the directive to reduce the fuel prices and that the act was a violation of licence conditions, which attracted sanctions.
Mr Hang’andu said the ERB had noted with grave concern that service stations had in the past been quick to adjust prices when an increase was made and yet were slow to do so when the reduction was announced.
He said the trend by some culprits would not continue unabated as the ERB was determined to ensure that the rights of the consumers were protected.
He said the directive, which was issued on Tuesday to reduce fuel prices should be adhered to by all licensees to avoid sanctions from the ERB.
Mr Hang’andu said members of the public were encouraged to report all non-compliant OMCs and service stations to the ERB offices in Chinsali, Kitwe, Lusaka and Livingstone or call the toll-free line 8484.