Citizens First president Harry Kalaba has called on the government to strengthen fuel supply measures, warning that escalating tensions in the Middle East could trigger economic pressure in Zambia.
Kalaba said developments around Iran present a clear signal that global conflicts can rapidly affect countries dependent on imported commodities. He stated that Zambia remains exposed due to its reliance on external fuel supply, which leaves the economy vulnerable to sudden disruptions.
He outlined two key lessons which he said should guide government response. The first centred on the need for early action. Kalaba said downplaying risks does not prevent them from materialising, adding that prior warnings on energy exports during drought periods were not adequately addressed.
He said Citizens First had advised government to halt energy exports during periods of constrained domestic supply. According to Kalaba, responses focused on contractual commitments rather than safeguarding internal needs. He said citizens would now expect similar reasoning to be applied in managing fuel supply contracts.
Kalaba said effective governance requires anticipating risks and taking corrective steps before conditions worsen. He argued that delays in decision-making often transfer the burden onto citizens through increased costs and reduced access to essential commodities.
His second lesson focused on the function of government in managing critical services. Kalaba said government should not operate as a profit-oriented entity when handling essential goods such as fuel. He stated that ensuring consistent and equitable access must remain the primary objective.
He warned that placing financial considerations ahead of supply stability leads to disruptions that affect households and businesses. Kalaba said stable fuel supply underpins economic activity and price control, particularly in transport and food distribution.
He referred to the Indeni Refinery, stating that its operational status remains central to Zambia’s energy security. Kalaba said the refinery, if functioning as originally intended, would enable the country to utilise its strategic reserves more effectively.
He noted that fuel storage facilities across the country were established through significant investment aimed at protecting national supply systems. He said leaving such infrastructure idle reduces the country’s capacity to respond to external shocks and increases dependence on imports.
Kalaba called for a clear policy direction from government. He urged authorities to issue a ministerial statement outlining concrete measures to guarantee fuel availability. He said the statement should address immediate supply management, medium-term stabilisation, and long-term planning for energy security.
He said the focus should remain on actionable steps that directly address supply risks and pricing pressures. Kalaba added that clear communication would help restore public confidence in government preparedness.
He also encouraged citizens to adopt practical measures to manage fuel consumption. Kalaba said carpooling and efficient travel planning could help reduce demand pressure during periods of uncertainty.
He said national resilience depends on both leadership decisions and citizen behaviour. Kalaba noted that managing consumption at household level can contribute to easing strain on supply systems when external conditions tighten.
His remarks place renewed attention on fuel policy and infrastructure utilisation as Zambia faces potential economic pressure linked to global developments.
Just keep quiet chule iwe……useless Pompwe
Much as we are all agreed that the UPND government is challenged in giving us an economy worth calling an economy, I would advise Kalaba to be measured in his engagement with people, Kalaba cannot be telling people that if he becomes President, if one delivers maize to FRA today the following day they will be paid for their maize and that civil servants will be paid handsomely, please avoid such populist rhetoric. Your friend HH was showing us the tuma smallest mealie meal pamelas and cooking oil in tuma tiny plastic sachets that if he became President those things will end, well there are still very much there now and even more wide spread than before
@Nishel But all politicians are like that. Lying is part of their game. It’s a strategy.
People now vote for who tells the better lies.
Trump was full of lies and Noone seems to bother as he does the opposite of what he promised.
Kalaba is a very dull guy…….since the middle east crisis has resulted in high fuel prices Zambia needs to raise more money via exports (including electricity exports) to meet the increased cost.
SIMPLE.
You are correct,Mr Kalaba is petty and dull
Kalaba, I will be laughing at you loud and louder anytime you mispeak on this issue of fuel. Zambia does not have an oil well. Zambia uses dollars to buy oil on a competitive market where some countries are addicted to oil whose citizens have affordable income to even never get satisfied.
Price wise, it’s going to get worse if the fighting continues. The price at the pump has already hit the pocket where I am. The traffic of shipping crude oil has been affected by over 50 %.
Kalaba can speak about this issue in a sensible way because he’s not a politician but another snitch. You have so much hate and jealous about HH, all you do not is peddling lies breakfast, lunch and dinner. You will never be a successful politician like that. Stop being emotional, learn how to be strong opposition with wisdom. The job is to be the servant of the people and not tulyemo.
Very easy issue. Just subsidise the way other countries have done. Who is going to buy fuel at K40 per litre, if it comes to that
Problem of being used to tantameni.With which money are you going to subsidise?You are working on paying the debt pf left
Citizens First believes that protecting intellectual property is non negotiable, even for media incentives and ownership. History shows when protection is selective, independent media suffers and trust erodes. We need universal safeguards, not favors for colleagues. If a system doesn’t shield ideas and innovation for all, everyone pays later. Now is the time to strengthen IP protections and ensure media accountability, so we don’t repeat the mistakes of those who catered only to insiders.
I’d like to retract my previous comment. I’m not endorsing that view anymore, and I don’t want to misrepresent my position. I’II keep it shorter and more careful going forward.
If we depended on desalination as our primary water source, we’d face expensive and unstable supply. Protecting intellectual property isn’t just an industry issue it’s essential for fuel security and economic resilience. President Kalaba of Citizens First is right to call for stronger fuel supply measures to shield Zambia from global shocks.
Just how is that done?
It seems you are lagging behind. The government has been constructing reserve tanks nationwide to address any potential fuel shortages and related issues. They are ahead of your group. As we speak, the number of trucks delivering fuel across the country has been doubled.The pipeline from Tanzania is busy pumping.Angola has agreed to fully supply Zambia with fuel as well
Price wise, it’s going to get worse if the war continues. The price at the pump has already hit the pocket where I am. The traffic of shipping crude oil has been affected by over 50 %.
He can not speak about this issue in a sensible way because he’s not a politician but another specialinterest. You have so much hate and jealous about HH, all you do not is peddling lies breakfast, lunch and dinner. You will never be a successful politician like that. Stop being emotional, learn how to be strong opposition with wisdom. The job is to be the servant of the people and not tulyemo.
Do we now produce oil? I remember President Mwanawasa announcing that Zambia had hit oil. What happened?
Let’s produce oil from grass.
And the livestock will eat what?
Raymond Kalaba was famously part of those vast PF systemic failures that set Zambia back.As minister of foreign affairs he kept quiet when Zed was digging itself a huge grave of foreign debt and Fitch downgrades.
Empty pompwe, mscheeew.
Kalaba overates himself way too much just like dunderhead Makebi Zulu…..am not UPND but I think HH is much better than all the opposition candidates…fact
As an African Contry Zambia should look more to utilising oil reserves within the continent. Within the Southern Africa region we have Angola and Mozambique and Nigeria in the West. Of course there are many other countries in North Africa. We can do better as Africans to promote intracontinental trading.