. Mutati

By CHATULA KANGALI –
GOVERNMENT will optimise the operations of Indeni Petroleum Refinery and TAZAMA as it hands over the procurement of fuel to the private sector.
Finance Minister Felix Mutati announced that Government will in the 2017 budget handover the procurement of fuel to the private sector.
Energy Minister David Mabumba said that Indeni and TAZAMA will have to optimise their operations before the financing and distribution of fuel is handed over to the private sector.
Mr Mabumba said that it was impossible for Government to decommission Indeni and TAZAMA at the moment.
He said that the capacity of Indeni and Tazama which is 1.1 billion tonnes was below the country’s demand which was currently at 1.3 billion.
Mr Mabumba said that that as Government hands over the procurement of fuel, it would caution on the distribution and marketing of the product.
“Much as we allow the private sector to procure fuel, we need to put in place measures that will protect our economy.
“It’s only the private sector that can create more jobs and create industries, that is why we have handed  over the procurement of fuel to the private sector because we believe they can do better than us,” he said.
Mr Mabumba was speaking during the Ndola District budget forum which was held at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola recently.
The minister, however, urged Zambia to take up the opportunity in the procurement of fuel.
“This opportunity is for you, don’t be on the sidelines and wait for others to come and take it, we want  you to be in this business and create jobs for the locals,” he said.