Kitwe Taxi drivers cry over fuel shortage

By SANFROSSA MANYINDA THE Copperbelt Taxi Drivers Association (CTDA) has complained over the continued shortage of fuel in some parts of the country. CTDA Secretary General, Sydney Chileshe, said the shortage of fuel was negatively affecting their business and challenged Government to give a true picture on the ground. Mr Chileshe said it was only after the situation was clearly explained that the people would know what the problem was. “We do not see the reason why Government is struggling to explain to the people what exactly is going on. I can assure you that as long as government is not saying anything, people will continue speculating,” he said. He said it was saddening to note that the oil marketing companies and the entire procurement process had for a long time been “secretive.” Mr Chileshe said that 56 years after independence the country was still experiencing the shortage of fuel because Government had not taken necessary measures. Recently, Energy Minister Matthew Nkhuwa explained that Government had removed import duty and zero-rated VAT on fuel imports to contain the furl prices. The Minister had assured that the fuel supply in the country would thus improve in seven days as fuel importers had started rolling into the country.