Zambia has once again been gripped by an acute fuel shortage that has paralyzed operations in heavy industries and inconvenienced motorists. This is the second fuel shortage to hit the country within two weeks and observers are warning the situation might get "messy" if not urgently attended to.

Contrary to the assurance from Information Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha that the shortage would normalise by the weekend, the dire situation persists.

Some heavy industries have cut their production while motorists are opting to use public transport to and from work. Most gas stations surveyed in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, have established that the fuel shortage has continued after it showed signs of normality during the previous weeks.

Zambia consumes about 700, 000 litres of Diesel and 1, 000, 000 litres of Petrol a day. Indeni Petroleum Refinery has the capacity to refine 60 tonnes of crude oil per month.

Source: Africa News