Times Of Swaziland: GOVT IN NEED OF  E16M  FUEL SHORTAGE BAILOUT

GOVT IN NEED OF  E16M  FUEL SHORTAGE BAILOUT
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BY SIBONGILE SUKATI on 03/08/2017 04:02:00


LOBAMBA - The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the next government
department with a cap in hand, asking for a E16 million bailout to address the
fuel shortage problem.
It was revealed in the House of Assembly yesterday that the ministry owes its
two suppliers, Engen and Galp, about E16 million each, as that was the capped
amount that both fuel companies extended to government.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Lindiwe Dlamini, yesterday told the
Members of Parliament (MPs) that the fuel shortages continued to persist and
that they had submitted a paper to Cabinet asking for the release of the money
which they hoped would be paid soon.
This was after Maphalaleni MP Mabulala Maseko and Mntfongwaneni MP Mjuluko
Dlamini had asked if projects were being stalled because of the lack of fuel,
especially for the heavy plant or machinery. The ministry acknowledged that the
problem was that they owed their suppliers, who only gave them fuel that
equalled what they had paid. The ministry said they hoped that as soon as their
debt was settled, the suppliers would supply government. The ministry follows
the Ministry of Education and Training, which had also asked for money to
purchase food for schools.
Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo said fuel was being abused by the very same
government officials. “A car can be fuelled up in Mbabane and by the time it
gets to Ezulwini, the petrol has been siphoned,” said the MP.
He said even the process of fuelling up was not solid as the CTA papers could be
forged.