Act now on fuel or face shortages, Kalaba tells govt
By Ludia Ngwadzai
CITIZENS First (CF) president Harry Kalaba has called on the government to take immediate action to safeguard fuel sufficiency in the country as escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten to disrupt global petroleum supply chains.
Kalaba said the unfolding crisis in the Middle East was a stark reminder of Zambia’s vulnerability to global economic disruptions.
“Lies have short legs and running a government is not like running a business. There are two critical lessons that those in leadership now should critically think about,” he said.
Kalaba urged both the government and the people of Zambia to remain resilient in the face of the growing economic uncertainty.
In a statement issued yesterday, Kalaba criticised the government for its dismissive attitude toward the potential risks posed by the Middle East crisis and accused it of prioritising commercial interests over the welfare and needs of ordinary citizens.
“The current situation calls for a shift in thinking from short-term financial calculations to long-term national resilience. If Indeni Refinery was operating as per original plan, Zambia would be better positioned to utilise its strategic fuel reserves across the country,” he said.
Kalaba demanded that the government should provide a clear and transparent explanation of the looming fuel situation and outline specific measures it intended to implement to guarantee fuel sufficiency for households and businesses across the country.
“Zambians deserve transparency, preparedness and leadership that anticipates challenges rather than reacts to crises,” he said.
Kalaba also encouraged citizens to take practical steps to manage their fuel consumption in the interim, including carpooling and more efficient travel planning to reduce pressure on an already strained fuel supply chain.
