Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government has disclosed that it has put in place a requirement that suppliers of fuel to the country have 20 percent of their transportation fleet being local Zambian transporters.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma has told a petroleum industry indaba in Lusaka this afternoon that this is in order to promote local participation in the petroleum sector.
Mr. Yaluma says government will endeavor to create more jobs in the petroleum sector through promotion of local investment in the sector.
He explains that the national energy policy provision is meant to encourage Zambian participation in all stages of the petroleum supply chain.
Mr Yaluma stresses that it is therefore government’s duty to promote the establishment and growth of Zambian owned investments in the petroleum sector.
The Energy Minister has since appealed to oil marketing companies to prioritize engagement of Zambian transporter.
He has also expressed hope that the indaba will bring to rest the long standing impasse in the petroleum transportation sub sector.
The indaba has attracted oil marketing companies, the Energy Regulation Board, (ERB) Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RATSA) and Petroleum Transporters Association among others.