Zimpapers Logo

Brighton Gumbo Business Reporter
LIQUEFIED petroleum (LP) gas supplies in Bulawayo have stabilised following the resumption of operations by a South Africa-based supplier.

The city had been hit by the shortage of LP gas for more than a month after the South African firm suspended supplies of the commodity to facilitate annual plant maintenance.

A snap survey by Business Chronicle in Bulawayo yesterday revealed that a number of gas retail outlets were operational and the price of the commodity had been restored to previous rates before the suspension of supplies.

Prior to suspension of supplies local retailers sold the gas at prices ranging between $1.90 and $2.00 a kilogramme.

Value Gas director Abel Murira said the South African supplier has resumed operations and the supplies had been restored.

“The situation is now normal, we’ve resumed operations and our prices have been restored to their normal peg,” he said.

He said LP gas shortage had brought their business to a standstill.

Gas Galore director Collins Madzaura said the resumption of operations by the South African firm had brought relief to their business which went on a downward trend last month as a result of suspension of operations.

“I’m happy that the business has returned to normal. For the past month we’ve been distressed by the situation we were encountering,” he said.

“Our prices have been scaled-down to their normal charge since the supplier has started operations.”

Owing to scarcity of the commodity, local retailers had increased their prices by 150 percent.