IT’S CARELESSNESS, IRAN CAN’T BE BLAMED FOR FUEL CRISIS, UPND WENT TO SLEEP OVER INDENI AGAINST ADVICE
The recent shortage of diesel in the country has been attributed to lack of foresight and abandonment of Indeni Refinery by the UPND administration according to Harry Kalaba, opposition Citizens First president.
Speaking on Wednesday’s Special Program on Prime TV, Mr. Kalaba said the current one month import cover of petroleum products is not enough for the present size of the Zambian economy.
He said that once elected President of Zambia on August 13th, his administration will ensure a fuel import cover for a minimum three months.
“The UPND administration has gone to sleep, we told them to maintain Indeni as a Refinery but the UPND didn’t listen to advice. We should have more storage facilities so that we are not panicking whenever there is a crisis in the world, “ he said.
The former foreign affairs minister has expressed surprise that the UPND administration is quick to attribute the local energy crisis to the war in Iran, saying the UPND is a careless administration.
“It is carelessness, Iran is not to blame for the UPND abandoning a facility such as Indeni Refinery, which was left by the UNIP administration and used by past administrations before the UPND came into office. Is it Iran that prevented the UPND from investing in the construction of fuel storage facilities in their last five years in power, he asked? “
Meanwhile, Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa said the transitioning of Indeni Energy Limited from an oil refinery company into an oil marketing company is regrettable.
“If time could be reversed, such a move would not have been allowed, noting that fuel trading demands more resources and that it is not possible for the government to raise sufficient capital for Indeni” Nkulukusa said when he appeared before the Committee on Parastatal Bodies, Tuesday.
By Correspondent writer
KBN TV
That is the position of the office orderly.