Dorcus Rumano and Gift Mashoko
Government will soon put in place measures to correct irregularities within the energy sector a cabinet Minister has said.
During a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee seating on Energy and Power Development recently, a question was raised on whether there are any known service stations designated to sell their fuel in foreign currency as there seems to be anomalies.
Responding to the question, Minister of Energy and Power Development, Fortune Chasi said his Ministry is in the process of developing rules and regulations that are clearer and specific in relation to the selling of fuel either in foreign currency, RTGS or coupons.
Minister Chasi emphasised that Government will put in place policy measures that control the selling of fuel in foreign currency.
He said that Government would be gazetting designated service stations that will be authorised to sell fuel in USD to avoid confusion among motorists.
On the issue of coupons the Minister said that if there is a desire for coupons amongst the motorists, Government will ensure their availability to curb the confusion in the fuel industry.
“I made the point earlier, that in addition to the legal framework that is in existence, our industry engages in the form of self-regulation. If they fail in critical areas that we have identified, I will be taking the necessary steps to create the necessary legal frameworks,” he said.
We need to understand the experiences by people in their constituencies for us to come out with a lasting solution, said the Minister.
“I want to encourage Members of Parliament (MPs) first to understand from the people within their constituencies their experiences with service stations. This will be very useful to all of us; the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), ZERA and myself to make a lasting solution that will solve the problem.
“There is need for us to be together in all these issues and it is also up to us to review the framework. If there is an appetite for coupons in the industry we are going to come up with rules to regulate so that we are all in one position.
“This problem was a big one with REDAN coupons where many people suffered. I am sure honourable members suffered as well. This is why I am saying we are going to carry out a review that will help us to deal with some of these issues,” said Minister Chasi.
Government will soon be bringing in order to the fuel industry through cooperate governance. Present during the seating was also RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development Dr Gloria Magombo.
