• Local transporters have not been transporting huge volumes of imported fuel into the country since January this yea
• This because of stiff competition with foreign transporters.
• Statutory instrument number 35 of 2021 compels OMCs to give preference to local transporters but disregards the laws.

Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia says local transporters have not been transporting huge volumes of imported fuel into the country since January this year due to stiff competition with foreign transporters.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Association President Benson Tembo said it is sad that transportation of low volume of fuel has persisted even when Government gave the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) an import waver which will end in June this year.
Mr. Tembo noted that Oil Marketing Companies are compelled by Statutory Instrument (SI) number 35 of 2021 to give preference to local transporters in the transportation of imported fuel but the players have disregarded the laws.
He has since dispelled reports that the low volume of fuel being imported in the country is because of the war between Russia and Ukraine because it has not yet started impacting Zambia.
“The transport sector is losing business to foreign transporters hence the need to strengthen policies aimed at encouraging the participation of Zambian transporters in the petroleum business,” he said
Mr Tembo said if properly harnessed, the transport sector has the potential to employ a lot of youths as well as boost business in the transport sector.
He stated that if the OMCs are not complying with the law, it leaves them with no choice but to take them to court for loss of business.