After a few days of disruption, oil tankers in the Haut-Katanga province finally decided to resume distributing fuel at the pump. This was announced by the Ministry of the National Economy, following a meeting between oil sector operators and an interministerial commission.
During this meeting, chaired by the Minister of National Economy, various demands of oil operators were examined in order to find adequate solutions. It was agreed that the government will pay for losses and shortfalls, favoring the Eastern part with 55% and the Western part with 45%. In addition, a new price structure will be signed, coming closer to reality without impacting consumers or weakening oil operators.
The government also accepted the operators’ request to certify losses and shortfalls in Haut-Katanga. A meeting on certification will be organized to definitively put an end to this issue.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Vital Kamerhe, stressed that the situation in Lubumbashi was the consequence of variations in international factors which influence the price structure of petroleum products. He notably mentioned the increase in the price of a barrel and the retention of stocks by large suppliers. In order to find lasting solutions, the government has decided to end exemptions in the oil sector.
Operators, for their part, welcomed the government’s responsiveness to their concerns. Patrick Mulang, provincial president of the Fédération des Entreprises du Congo FEC/Haut-Katanga, expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Prime Minister for having established a constructive dialogue with operators since taking office.
This resolution of the crisis in the oil sector of Haut-Katanga will thus make it possible to restore the normal distribution of fuel at the pump, thus guaranteeing a regular supply for consumers.