By Bernard Lugongo
IMPORTATION of fuel
for August will rise by 52 per cent for petrol and 30.9 per cent for
diesel as
compared to a month of July, following the resumption of
economic activities that were paralysed due to Covid-19.
The Energy and
Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) yesterday announced a new
trend of the fuel importation, which would guarantee enough supply of
the commodity in the country.
EWURA's
Communications and Public Relations Manager, Titus Kaguo said due to
resumption of all economic activities, the authority expects an increase
of fuel importation for August, reaching 157.9 million litres of petrol
from 103.3 million litres for July.
On the other hand, the importation of diesel will rise from 176.1 million litres for July to 230.6 million litres for August.
Mr Kaguo stated
that petrol would approximately account for 89 per cent of fuel
consumption for July, down from 94 per cent for June.
Likewise, the expected fuel importation for July would exceed an average consumption for that month by five per cent.
"EWURA management
will closely follow up on the availability of fuel and if possible will
direct local fuel companies to reserve fuel they intended to export to
neighbouring countries for future local consumption," Mr Kaguo noted.
Meanwhile, the
EWURA reiterated its intention to revoke licenses of two fuel
wholesalers and three retailing stations over continuous tendency of
hoarding fuel in a bid to create shortage.
According to Mr Kaguo, the companies particularly hoard the fuel when the authority announces lowered monthly pump prices.
"These companies
were creating shortages during times of low fuel indicative prices,
which as results caused panic among consumers," Mr Kaguo stated
yesterday in Dar es Salaam.
He mentioned the wholesaler as Mansoor Oil Industries Limited (MOIL) and Olympic Petroleum Tanzania Ltd based in Dar es Salaam.
The three fuel retailers are B.O.Five Ways Petrol Station (Bagamoyo), Mexon Energy (Makumbusho) and Mexon (Njombe).
"We initially gave
them a 48-hour ultimatum to present their explanation to the authority
regarding the matter and the authority arrived at the decision to embark
on procedures for revoking their licenses after being dissatisfied with
their explanations," Mr Kaguo stated.
He explained that
the procedures include announcing in the newspapers over the authority's
intent for inviting views from the public, thereafter the decision is
taken. This procedure takes about seven days.
Mr Kaguo noted that
such dealers have been creating panic to the consumers, who have been
rushing to buy large amounts of fuel and reserve in fear that there
could be a scarcity.
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