• Government must ensure that local fuel transporters benefit fully from SI 35
• Only 8 percent of local transporters are benefiting from the transportation of petroleum products
• Same is being experienced in the transportation of copper
Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ) has called on Government to ensure that local fuel transporters benefit fully from Statutory Instrument (SI) number 35 of 2021 which mandates 50% participation of local transporters.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Association Secretary General Benson Tembo revealed that currently, only 8 percent of local transporters are benefiting from the transportation of petroleum products.
Mr. Tembo further implored Government to urgently act on the issue in order for Zambians to start benefiting and secure their jobs.
“Some Foreign companies are refusing to give 50% volume to the Zambian citizens as stated in Statutory Instrument No. 35 of 2021 citizens’ economic empowerment transportation of heavy and bulk commodities by road regulations which was signed by former President Edgar Lungu,” he said.
“This action is forcing a number of local transporters to stay out of business because they are not given their percentage of transporting the commodity, “he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tembo stated that the same is being experienced in the transportation of copper as no local transporter is being used to transport the commodity to foreign countries, a situation he describes as disheartening.