October 20, 2012:

NDOLA Fuel Terminal and Indeni Petroleum Refinery have sufficient fuel stocks to meet the national demand for the remaining 10 days, Parliament heard yesterday. Indeni Petroleum Refinery shut down on October 7, 2012, for the annual maintenance and would resume operations on October 28. Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Yamfwa Mukanga told Parliament yesterday that there were 19,144 cubic metres of petrol that could cover 24 days of national consumption. Mr Mukanga said in a ministerial statement that as of yesterday, there were 24,064 cubic metres of diesel to cover 14 days and 1,633 cubic metres of Kerosene for 33 days. "As regards availability of Jet A1, the oil marketing companies (OMCs) that supply Jet A1 have been authorised to import a total volume of 12,900 cubic metres of Jet A1 and are currently doing so," he said. Mr Mukanga said sufficient quantities of Jet A1 were available for the recent increased demand in air traffic to Zambia. He said the country had continued to import diesel and petrol at a rate of 1,200 cubic metres and 525 cubic metres, respectively, per day while maintenance works at Indeni were on schedule. The minister said some of the maintenance works carried out at the refinery were inspection of seven refinery furnaces and 14 heat exchanges, as well as servicing of the main compressor. "It should be noted that the refinery shutdown is mainly for regeneration of the catalysts used in the production of petrol, which usually finishes a year of use," he said. He appealed to bulk fuel suppliers, retailers and consumers to go about their usual business without any anxiety, adding that anybody could contact his office or Energy Regulation Board for clarifications.

In supplementary questions, UPND Gwembe MP Brian Ntundu wondered whether the country would not experience fuel shortages, but in response Mr Mukanga said there were sufficient fuel stocks. Mr Mukanga also said fuel imported by OMCs was certified safe. He was responding to MMD Mumbwa MP Brian Chituwo who asked on the safety of imported fuels by OMCs. Zambia consumes about two million litres of diesel per day and 700,000 litres of petrol daily .

By Allafrica.com