The Energy Regulation Board –ERB- has warned Oil Marketing Companies and Petroleum Retail dealers against deliberately holding back sales of petroleum products, especially the days leading up to the announcement of the monthly pricing review.
The caution comes against the background of purported stock out reports at some filling stations prior to the ERB price review announcement.
ERB Public Relations Manager NAMUKOLO KASUMPA says the practice is tantamount to hoarding and is an offence under the conditions of the Licence to Retail Petroleum Products.
Ms. KASUMPA told ZNBC News that hoarding petroleum products creates an artificial impression of fuel stocks shortage across the country, triggering unnecessary anxiety in the market.
She has since warned OMCs and Petroleum Retail dealers against engaging in behaviour which amounts to hoarding petroleum products.
Ms. KASUMPA has since advised the public to report instances of suspected petroleum products hoarding to the ERB by calling the Toll Free Line 8484.
Source: ZNBC