• Filling stations being built in undesignated places pose a danger to society.
• Rise in the number of filling stations in Lusaka will bring competition.
• There is demand for petroleum products due to high number of filling stations.

Oil Marketing Companies Association of Zambia (OMCAZ) has called for a serious audit on filling stations being built in undesignated places.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Association President Dr. Kafula Mubanga said it has become a serious concern some of the Service stations are being constructed too close to main roads, which poses a danger to society.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kafula stated that the rise in the number of filling stations in Lusaka is a positive gesture as it increases competition among the players as well as create employment for the local people.
“Investors are investing in filling station business because there are several investment opportunities in the petroleum industry including opportunities which support the industry along the value chain. Opportunities include investment in the Oil and Gas Exploration activities,“ he said.
Dr. Kafula added that Fuel business all over the world whether at the upstream side or downstream side is a very sensitive business, hence the geopolitical conflicts being witnessed in certain regions of the world has negatively affected the business, adding that smart partnerships which carter for local communities can assist to forestall potential conflict.
In 2010, Energy Regulation Board (ERB) attributed the increase of fuel service stations in the country to British Petroleum (BP) Plc which pulled out from the Zambian market.
BP, who first started operating in Zambia in 1963 with more than 57 filling stations at the time they announced their intended pull-out, left a huge gap which new starters filled up.