Indeni shuts down

Indeni shuts down
Written by Florence Bupe
Tuesday, June 02, 2009 3:50:50 PM

INDENI Oil Refinery has shutdown owing to insufficient crude stocks needed for processing.

Energy minister Kenneth Konga confirmed the closure of the refinery in an interview on Tuesday, but said there was no need for the nation to panic as there were sufficient fuel stocks to last for the period of the shutdown.

“It is true that the crude oil that we were expecting to dock in Dar- es- Salaam last week has delayed, but we expect it to dock between June 7 and 11. Because of the delay, Indeni has run out of crude to process but we still have sufficient stocks,” he said.

The refinery shutdown was with effect from Tuesday.

Konga disclosed that the country had 62 days’ stock of petrol, 33 days of diesel and kerosene stocks to last 67 days, while A1 jet fuel would suffice for the next 45 days.

“By the time the ship docks, we will still have adequate fuel stocks. The fact that Tazama (Tanzania Zambia Mafuta) stops pumping doesn’t suggest that there’s a shortage on the market,” he explained.

And Konga said Zambia would assist Zimbabwe mitigate power deficits during the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Heads of State Summit scheduled for next week.

Konga said as a matter of policy under the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), countries in the region were expected to assist each other address power deficits.

“Under the power pool, power utilities in the region are expected to collaborate to help address deficits. If Zesa (the Zimbabwean power utility firm) needs assistance, we shall provide our services,” said Konga.