by Shongedzai Mugwagwa

Government has reiterated that fuel queues which have re-appeared across the country will disappear in this festive season since Government has started drawing fuel from the deal they entered with the international oil giants.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) announced the upward review of fuel in the country which came as a relief to the motorists who were anticipating a significant increase of the commodity.

Such anticipation has seen motorists panicking with many resorting to hoarding fuel.

Sources within the Ministry of Energy and Power Development told this publication that globally, crude oil prices have been reduced making it unwise for ZERA to peg the new price high.

Recently, ZERA had reviewed down the pump price by 5 cents and 7 cents for petrol and diesel respectively. RThe new prices have seen petrol being sold at $1.38 while diesel is now pegged at $1.34 with effect from 1 December 2018.

Regarding fuel queues which have resurfaced in the country, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Dr Joram Gumbo told this publication that he was seized with the issue although foreign currency issue remains a major drawback.

He further told this publication that he spent the whole of last week in the Middle East finalising on the deal which will see the country receive fuel for the next coming 18 months on credit line from crude oil giants.

He assured motorists that the $60 million released by Government will improve the fuel situation in the meantime while the long term is being worked on.

He warned against hoarding and stocking of fuel in homesteads as fuel is highly flammable.

Dr Gumbo refuted a video clip making rounds on social media platforms in which he is alleged to have encouraged motorists to hoard fuel since there will nothing during the festive season. The clip was edited from his long speech.