PUMA ENERGY SAYS ZAMBIA HAS NOT REAPED THE INTENDED BENEFITS FROM TAZAMA PIPELINE

 Puma Energy Zambia PLC says Zambia has not reaped the intended benefits from the TAZAMA Pipeline one year on.

Speaking during the Zambia Chamber Of Commerce and Industry-ZACCI- Breakfast meeting on the fuel price model in Zambia in Lusaka today, Company Managing Director Patricio Chababo says this is because there has been only one supplier from the pipeline.

Mr. Chababo said although Oil Marketing Companies -OMCs- are ready to source from the pipeline, the he availability of diesel is limited owing to single sourcing.

He notes that there is need to urgently change the state to modify and rectify the dynamics because the economy and Zambians will benefit from having a pipeline that is structured in a way that most suppliers can access it as opposed to a single supplier.

He says TAZAMA should look into different risk and exposure areas that will make a reputable, credible and solid trader to supply products through the pipeline adding that if this works, the country will see lower prices of diesel on the market.

Meanwhile, ZACCI Board Member Golden Chibuye says there is need to chart the course to enhance transparency and stability in Zambia’s petroleum pricing framework and address the gaps in the supply of energy as they present a problem in the manufacturing sector.

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