(right) and his Deputy George Zulu (centre) inspect the Lusaka fuel
storage depot with Lusaka Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta before
commissioning of the plant
MINISTER of Mines, Energy and Water Development Christopher Yaluma says the recently procured contaminated crude oil is now being processed at Indeni Petroleum Refinery.
Mr Yaluma said in an interview yesterday that Government cannot send back the oil but has opted to refine it using a special chemical.
“We are flushing the contaminated oil with some chemicals. It will not have any effect on cars,” the minister said.
Mr Yaluma said the contaminant oil will remain at the base of the pipes at Indeni.
He said the public should not panic because Government has put in place the necessary measures to protect both the refinery and cars by ensuring that the oil is adequately processed.
Recently, Government procured 115,000 metric tonnes of crude oil from Oman which later turned out to be unsuitable for Indeni Petroleum Refinery.
This raised fears that the oil might damage Indeni’s process lines, eat up pipes, vessels and tanks, thereby reducing the lifespan of the refinery.
Mr Yaluma recently said Government has summoned the suppliers of crude feedstock to explain why they supplied contaminated oil, which caused leakages to the oil pipeline.
He said appropriate sanctions against suppliers will be determined once investigations into the matter are concluded.
Mr Yaluma also said over K10 million will be needed to repair the damaged pipelines and that the cost will be borne by the supplier.
“We are flushing the contaminated oil with some chemicals. It will not have any effect on cars,” the minister said.
Surely would an explanation like the one above reassure anybody? Clearly this empty tin does not know what he is talking about…since when has a country procured the wrong crude specification….truly laughable…dont try to blame the supplier for your greed to buy cheap crude so you can skim off the top.
Andrew Banda was right. These guys will kill us all, they have to go.
I totally agree with you that this man does not know what he’s talking about. Rather accept their own mistake they want to blame the supplier. Even the issue of leakages is totally laughable.
Since when has an oil producing country been producing bad crude oil? He is telling lies and his investigations will not go anywhere they will just disappear….if its the supplier why does he not name them?
I can not believe that the whole Minister would be this dull. what’s wrong with our Zambian Leadership?? I am sure he got a bride this is why he would rather let Zambia lose for him to get rich.
If Lungu can not fire such Ministers then the man is also corrupt.
useless leaders. who are so stupid not to see any dangers from the contaminated crude oil. cars will be damaged Mr stupid minister??
LT I have send a private email please change this comment section- Could you please adopt one like the ones used by sub section of : Newest/ oldest/Worst Rated/ Best Rated/
This one is a great change but lags reorient of modern websites and as the Queen and the most revered contributor, I refuse to accept it.
Thanks
BB2014
‘Indeni is able to process the bad crude oil’. But why didn’t you buy good oil?
If this thing happened here in the western world, all officers including the minister in charge and all involved in this scum would be sacked instantly. Problem with a zambian is that he will just ignore the whole wrongs and accept what these thieves are saying and that’s it. I cry for mother Zambia really.
We have heard your explanation, and is that enough? Really people of Zambia?
This guy, together with those around the procurement process should be former minister/employees pending criminal investigations by the police or Anti Corruption Commission.
Maybe my standards have been tainted with good governance and I, therefore, wash my hands!
…I smell a very big rotten fish and a rotten rat here…..the effect of processing and using da resultant fuels may take effect after a year or so….at that time…the breakdown may not even be attributed to this ‘fiasco’….filling station must be told to display and warn motorists to…’ use the fuel at owner’s risk’…
Why is Zwd not accessible ? Is there a way of accessing it ?
Ask Clayton Hamasaka. No one is interested in a website that spreads hatred and tribalism
No accountability in PF, because they are all corrupt including all at plot 1. If they make pipo accoutable they fear all the corruption will be revealed.
PF ministers are rotten and Sata was right that they are useless.
Yaluma is an engineer with a good resume’ from ESKOM, I wonder why he has allowed politics make him look so stupid & dull.
‘We’re flushing the contaminated oil with oil’. What are you going to remain with?
Now the use of chemicals to clean this crude oil means that more (taxpayers) money will be used process this fuel, I don’t think this chemical was sourced for free.
Where r our analytical chemists or scientists who r supposed to ensure that before any products get into zambia are checked thoroughly. potentially contaminated foods might be founding its way into zambia!!!!
This guy is a joker he received bribes that’s why he is speaking but don’t worry ask Bulaya he will tell you what happened to him after he left his post….
So how did we end up with contaminated oil in the first place? I smell a rat! Mr. Yaluma has made one of his usual pronouncements that do not assure anyone. Is he by any chance an auto engineer? Does he understand the workings of cars? Some of us do not depend on the government to buy and repair our expensive cars. So we will have to bear the brunt of whatever damage the fuel will cause. This is a country where nothing is working! Power cuts, poor fuel quality, crime has gone up due to prolonged power cuts. I was in SA the last 10 days and their power cuts are 1-2 hrs with power being switched back on on the dot. Areas here are experiencing 5 times more of this nonsense. Zambians we have destroyed this country because of our poor choices.