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Zimbabwe govt to continue supplying subsidised fuel

Zimbabwe govt to continue supplying subsidised fuel
By George Chellah in Harare, Zimbabwe
Friday June 08, 2007 [04:00]

THE Zimbabwean government has pledged to continue supplying subsidized fuel at Z$ 450 per litre. The normal pump price for both petrol and diesel is Z$ 48,500 per litre (equivalent to about K 4,850). And the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has reintroduced bus services in the suburbs of the capital Harare following the withdrawal of services by some private transport operators alluding to viability problems.

But in a statement, Minister of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development, Ignatius Chombo guaranteed the private transport operators that the government would continue to supply subsidised fuel at Z$ 450 per litre.

“Government continues to avail subsidised fuel at a cost of Z$ 450 per litre, enough to meet the operators’ optimal daily mileage,” Chombo stated.

Chombo however, stated that the operators concerns were over costs arising from operational aspects such as spares.

He said Zupco was working on improving its fleet in the worst affected urban areas and to open discussions with the private bus operators on the way forward.

“It is expedient for me to advise the commuting public and indeed all stakeholders on the current commuter transport challenges in our urban areas, especially Harare, consequent upon a significant withdrawal of the private operators’ fleet,” Chombo stated. “I wish to assure the nation, as I hereby do, that government is actively engaging private transport operators with a view of coming up with a consensus on the way forward.”

Labels: FUEL, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 5:15 AM