NO FUEL PRICE HIKE – OIL MAKING COMPANIES

By CHARLES MUSONDA THE Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) association has dismissed some media reports suggesting that there will be a possible increase in fuel pump prices in the next two months. OMCs president Dr. Kafula Mubanga told journalists in Lusaka that the association in the past has given systematic projections that have turned out to be realities of the current situation regarding fuel pump prices. Dr. Mubanga said it is wrong for anyone to accuse him of saying that a possible increase in fuel pump prices is looming. He affirmed that President Lungu’s government has maintained fuel pump prices in the Southern African region for the last three years and reiterated that Government still has a lot of alternatives to avert any possible increment. Dr. Mubanga said the association is confident the government has enough solutions for the Zambian people and has no alternative that would ruin such solutions. He said the government has literally sacrificed to give OMCs rebates which have moderated profit margins for them. “As we speak the OMCs are making reasonable profits on fuel. There is no need to alarm the situation, give falsehoods or paint government negative. Government has been on firm ground as far as fuel pump price is concerned and controls have been put by the State to ensure there is moderation of pump price up to end of this year. “The budget covers all the possible gaps that that may arise if at all they would. So as an association we are supporting the government of the day and that should be clear. Government has hands on that if possible the fuel pump price comes down,” Dr. Mubanga said.