by Bruce Zvandasara
Energy and Power Development Minister, Dr Joram Gumbo yesterday made unannounced visits to various fuel service stations in Harare to check on the state of affairs after there has been announcement that fuel supplies have normalised in the country.
Dr Gumbo was impressed by the service deliveries at the service stations around Harare. He, however, raised concern over the proliferation of fuel being sold on the black market. He blamed fuel attendants for conniving with the black market fuel sellers. He said the black market traders were causing chaos through skipping queues with their jerry cans.
He said besides the unnecessary panic buying by consumers, various fuel stations have received enough supplies to sustain customers. He added that Government had secured enough forex to cushion the service delivery in the country.
The Minister was impressed by the general service at the various stations he toured though he noted with the concern unnecessary panic buying by consumers.
He said even those motorists who usually not buy full tank have just started to buy full tanks because of panic triggered by detractors.
“I’m generally impressed because most service stations have not hiked the fuel prices as per Government’s directive. However, fuel consumers should not panic as there is enough fuel in the country.
“It is a very normal state of the affair that a motorist should not have difficulties in accessing fuel and that is what I am doing. I make sure that there is enough fuel to sustain every consumer in the country. However, people should understand my job and don’t mix issues. All I do is to make sure that fuel is in the country. I don’t deal with sourcing forex, that’s someone else’s job,” he said.
Investigations carried out by the Harare Post have revealed that fuel supplies have since improved in the country. Various fuelling stations have received supplies and the queues have since shortened around the country as compared to the situation which was prevalent in the country in the past week.
