THE issue of the fuel shortage in the country has yet again revived the debate as to who drives things in the energy sector especially the petroleum sub-sector.
From the government’s many statements it was clear that the country has had enough fuel including petrol to cater for all motorists but the “shortage” was caused by panic buying.
Two questions, therefore, beg answers: firstly, who triggered the panic-buying and secondly why only a few service stations had fuel at any given time, thereby defeating the efforts to flood the market with the commodity?

Call for policy direction

THE new Cabinet has been ushered in and the ministers have by now settled down but little is being heard about policy pronouncements from them!
Ministers, particularly those in the economic ministries like Commerce, Trade and Industry, Finance and the like need to espouse new policies and reemphasise on the continuing ones to restore investor confidence.
Despite the need for continuity not all policies are expected to continue when you have a new president with a relatively new cabinet and, therefore, it is imperative for ministers to provide direction

Where are milling plants?

STILL on Government, there is need to come up with an official position on the planned establishment of the milling plants in various districts in the country.
While agreeing that the milling plants in the districts will help reduce and later maintain the prices of mealie meal, BRIEFCASE believes the relevant wings of government should own the idea and spearhead it.
So far, there has been disjointed comments on the matter leaving one to wonder as to who is supposed to drive the idea forward and ensure it materializes.