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Mr Mbiriri

Prosper Ndlovu Business Editor
THE government says plans are underway to construct an oil pipeline from Harare to Bulawayo while the mandatory ethanol blending is set to be increased from the current 15 to 20 percent in an effort to cut fuel costs and improve its distribution countrywide.The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development Partson Mbiriri told delegates during an energy conference in Bulawayo on Friday the move would enhance fuel distribution efficiency, especially in the southern region.

He also said the ministry would soon phase out importation of fuel by road tankers in preference for rail to reduce road carnage and congestion.

At present Bulawayo and other cities access fuel by rail and road tankers mainly from Harare and via Beitbridge from South Africa.

“Plans are there in relation to the second oil pipeline to be constructed from Mozambique, to branch it off, possibly in Chivhu and bring it towards Gweru, Bulawayo and Plumtree. Another branch will go to Harare, Chirundu and Zambia,” said Mbiriri.

“We’ve to argue with Mozambique on the second pipeline and discussions on that are underway. But that has to go with the needed volumes of consumption to warrant the initiative.”

Zimbabwe gets bulk fuel supply through the Beira pipeline in Mozambique in which the government has 50 percent control.

Regarding the phasing out of road tankers he said: “We want importation of fuel to be either by pipeline or rail. We don’t want tankers on the road.”

As part of regulations to restore order in the fuel supply, Mbiriri also said the government would stop individual fuel imports in favour of formal channels.

He said more attention was being given to bio-fuels as well with plans to increase ethanol blending to 20 percent.

Mbiriri said the ministry through the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) would tighten surveillance on service stations to ensure they provide quality fuel.

He said the energy watchdog has acquired mobile laboratory equipment, which allows it to test product quality.

The monitoring system, he added, would also ensure proper handling of fuel and curb incidents of fire, which have been experienced because of poor handling.

Mbiriri said the government has acquired a fuel depot in Bulawayo as a measure to increase supply and ensure remote destinations like Victoria Falls were efficiently serviced.

Early this year Zera approved the introduction of new fuel blend E85, which contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded petrol, which is only suitable for flexi fuel vehicles.