Govt. advises ERB to encourage investors to build filling stations in rural areas

Govt. advises ERB to encourage investors to build filling stations in rural areas

Chinsali, June 19 2014, ZANIS — Government has advised the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to encourage investors.

Chinsali  District Commissioner Evelyn Kangwa says this move will help to curb the vice of illegal fuel vending in rural areas.

Ms Kangwa who is also ERB board member said this yesterday during an introductory meeting organized by ERB to introduce the consumer Watch Group (CWG) to Stake holders in Chinsali District.

The District Commissioner said fuel vending is rampant in rural areas due to lack of filling stations.

She said sometimes people are forced to buy fuel from illegal fuel vendors due to long distances to service stations despite this fuel being harmful.

Ms Kangwa said if fuel stations are built in rural areas the illegal fuel vendors will automatically loose market as no one will buy from them.

And speaking earlier Muchinga Province Permanent secretary Dr Bwalya Ngandu appealed to the consumer watch group not only sensitize people about their rights but also about their obligations.

Dr Ngandu said theft of power through illegal connections and Vandalism should also be reported as it is a danger to the people.

The PS thanked ERB for coming to Chinsali to sensitize energy consumers and handle complaints.

The Consumer Watch Group is a group that was formed and tasked to sensitize consumers and handle complaints on behalf of the ERB in parts of the country where it has no offices.