Licensing delays stall fuel tanker empowerment programme —Govt

The Zambian government has attributed delays in the operationalisation of the Fuel Tanker Empowerment Programme to the licensing procedures required by various agencies.

Youth, Sport, and Arts Minister Elvis Nkandu cited the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), the Zambia Meteorological Agency (ZMA) and the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) as the key bodies involved in the licensing process.

Minister Nkandu made these remarks during a meeting with over 89 youth cooperatives on Thursday in Lusaka, which included representatives from RTSA, ERB, ZMA and various Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

He noted that he had engaged with his counterparts from the Ministries of Energy and Transport to address the challenges delaying the project.

“As a result, significant progress has been made, with the registration process now at an advanced stage. Full operations by all Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are expected to commence by the first week of September 2024,” Nkandu said.

The Minister assured the cooperatives that once the fuel tanker trucks become operational, the Ministry would ensure timely monthly payments to both the truck suppliers and the youth cooperatives.

Representatives from the OMCs stated that their preparations were nearly complete and that payments to the Ministry and cooperatives would begin as soon as operations started.

Youth and Sport Permanent Secretary, Kangwa Chileshe, reminded the cooperatives that the project was a partnership, highlighting that they would gain full ownership of the trucks once the loan is fully repaid.

A representative of the youth cooperatives expressed gratitude to Minister Nkandu for addressing their concerns but called for improved communication between the Ministry, cooperatives and OMCs to ensure all parties remain aligned.

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