DRC Govt rules out any risk of Fuel shortage in the Western zone
The distribution of petroleum products should continue without interruption in the Western Zone of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
These guarantees were given by the Congolese Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, at the end of a working session held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, with the group of oil tankers. It was in the presence of the Ministers of Finance, Hydrocarbons, and representatives of the banks.
The three parties harmonized views and clarified the situation prevailing in the oil sector, in particular the problem of payment of shortfall that the Government owes to oil companies to deal with any disruption in supply.
At the end of this audience, the Congolese Minister of Finance, Nicolas Kazadi, who acted as spokesperson, gave assurances that there will be no disruptions in the distribution of petroleum products.
“This meeting aimed to harmonize points of view to finalize the agreements reached between the Government, the oil industry and the banks.
This involves refinancing part of the shortfall planned by the Government for oil companies. And so, we made the final adjustments.
We believe that in the last days we will proceed to finalize this agreement. The important thing was to reassure all parties and the public that the issue of shortfall payment is being properly managed. Therefore, there will be no disruption in the supply of petroleum products. », declared Minister Nicolas Kazadi.
Let us recall that the distributors of petroleum products in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), united within the Professional Group of Petroleum Product Distributors (GPDPP), had announced the implementation as of Wednesday, October 18, 2023, of the application of a quota to allow the extension of coverage of petroleum products following low available stocks.
In a correspondence addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the National Economy, Vital Kamerhe, the GPDPP justified this anticipation measure by the desire to avoid total asphyxiation.
