The ManicaPost
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) will go to tender this week to commence the process of engaging fuel authentication firms to implement the proposed fuel marking programme.Earlier unsubstantiated reports had indicated that ZERA had already begun working with global fuel authentication companies, Global Fluids International and Authentix, on the institutional and technical requirements in implementing the fuel marking programme.
ZERA chief executive Engineer Gloria Magombo today said they expect the fuel marking to fully commence in at the beginning of next year, with tendering beginning this week.
“We should be going to tender this week, and we are planning that by January the project is actually rolled out,” she told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy.
Zimbabwe has been facing national fuel supply chain problems such as smuggling, adulteration and dilution of fuels, and outright theft, all of which deprive the Government of much needed tax revenue.
The concept of fuel basically entails the introduction of a bio-chemical liquid (fuel marker) into petroleum products at the loading depots prior to delivery of the products to the retail outlets, but the level of technicalities and implementation strategies are quite broad. She added that the fuel marking will help fight fuel fraud and smuggling, as well as increase accountability.
“When we do fuel marking we will do it at each and every point of entry where the fuel is picked up, so we collectively know which fuel has paid duty or not and we can follow up, and at the end of each day the systems which are existing now will give us the figures on a daily basis in terms of what fuel has been received and where, and we can check and test and be able to seek accountability at different levels,” she said.
Engineer Magombo said earlier engagements made with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) on the issue of fuel fraud had resulted in the revenue collector placing trackers on all fuels tanks transiting through the country.
“We understand that ZIMRA has now put trackers on the fuel tanks which are in transit to make sure that they follow a certain specific route and they stay within the country for the specific period which allows them to transit through the country.”
Zimbabwe spends between $1, 2 billion and $1,3 billion in fuel imports annually. – BH24.
