HIKED FUEL PUMP PRICES ANGER BUS AND TAXI DRIVERS
By Prudence Mutelo
Some bus and taxi drivers in Lusaka and Livingstone are incensed following the increase in fuel pump prices as announced by the Energy Regulation Board -ERB- which came into effect at midnight.
The Energy Regulation Board has adjusted upward pump prices for petrol and diesel by k4.21 ngwee and K2.19 ngwee respectively and now selling K34.19 ngwee from K29.98 ngwee and K32.15 from K29.96 ngwee.
Those talked to are angry that the upward adjustment in fuel prices is negatively impacting their businesses while their clients are not able to adjust to the frequent changes.
The drivers are urging government to find a lasting solution to the unstable fuel prices and to establish a constant fuel price, rather than implementing monthly increments as this inconsistency is causing frustration for both consumers and the drivers.
And Energy Expert Bornface Zulu says the fuel hikes underscores the need for a buffer stock against fluctuating international oil prices and exchange rates, which can have a detrimental impact on the fuel market.
PHOENIX NEWS
At least Buses we can understand but most of the tax drivers are not registered and three quarters of their vehicles have black numbers, hence they don’t even pay tax. So how do they expect the government to sell cheap fuel and yet they don’t help the government to raise more money to buy the same fuel? Zambia does not produce oil and does not control international oil prices, leave alone OPEC. We just pray that Russia-Ukraine, Gaza-Israeli wars and the America-UK attacks on Houthies in the gulf will be over soon so that the oil prices can start going down. The world has become one global village and if you are not infected, you are affected. The perpetuity of these wars is affecting the world negatively and the problem should not be attributed to any government or President.