Fuel crisis hits Mansa again

A critical shortage of fuel has hit Mansa in Luapula Province for the second time in barely a month.

The crisis has left motorists destined for various locations stranded.

A check by ZAINS in all the four filling stations in Mansa this morning revealed that only Puma and Spectra oil had fuel but this was reserved for its account holders.

Motorists this morning where seen at Total Feeling Station queuing up as early as 06 hours after word went round that the service station would have fuel.

Speaking to ZANIS in an interview Amico Spectra Filling Station Manager Golden Kamasumba described the situation as bad.

And Continental Filling Station Supervisor Aggie Phiri has attributed the fuel shortage to a tedious procedure of buying fuel from Indeni Oil Refinery in Ndola.

Mrs Phiri says the filling station is only expected to re-stock in the next two days.

And Mansa Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Sakeni who has described the shortage of fuel in his area as unfortunate said the erratic commodity supply is avoidable.

Mr Sakeni who is also Home Affairs Minister says he will engage stakeholders in the fuel service sector upon his return from South Africa.

He says he will also engage Energy Minister Christopher Yaluma over the erratic supply of fuel in Mansa.

Mr Sakeni however, suggested that a lasting solution lies in the engagement of more local and foreign investors in the fuel supply chain in Luapula Province.

ZANIS