Maravi

Indeni resumes operations

Indeni resumes operations
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe and Abigail Chaponda
Thu 22 Apr. 2010, 04:00 CAT

ENERGY minister Kenneth Konga has said Indeni Petroleum Refinery has resumed operations after a six-day shut called to create space for new refined stocks.

In an interview yesterday, Konga said the country’s sole refinery resumed operations last Saturday after increased fuel uptakes from Ndola Fuel Terminal created space from fresh refined products.

Konga said the government did not export any fuel products as a way of decongesting Ndola Fuel Terminal which is operated by Tanzania Zambia Mafuta (TAZAMA).

“I can confirm that Indeni has resumed operations and it resumed last Saturday after some space was created at Ndola Fuel Terminal,” Konga said.

“We didn’t allow for exports because we need to keep adequate stocks as you know Indeni goes for annual maintenance and during that period, they are challenges that arise…so we are building stocks.”

But sources from Indeni Petroleum Refinery said the plant only resumed full operations yesterday.

The sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said Indeni Petroleum Refinery was put in startup mode on Monday, a period of two to three days before resumption of full capacity operations.

On Saturday April 10, 2010, Indeni Petroleum Refinery shut down its sole 24,000 barrel-a-day oil refinery after the plant ran out of storage space for fuel amid lower demand in the wake of reduced economic activities in the country.

Labels: INDENI, KENNETH KONGA

posted by MrK @ 3:07 AM