Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has issued an urgent directive to fuel wholesalers and retailers to immediately stop deliberately withholding fuel supplies in anticipation of higher prices, warning that such practices could lead to punitive action.
In a ministerial notice issued, the ministry cautioned that any attempt to create artificial shortages by delaying supply to benefit from expected price increases undermines national fuel security and must cease immediately.
The directive instructs all licensed fuel wholesalers to deliver outstanding fuel orders to retailers who are compliant with agreed payment terms. Retailers have also been ordered to serve consumers without imposing unlawful restrictions on fuel volumes.
The ministry further warned against practices where fuel is withheld one day and released the next to maximise profits, describing such actions as detrimental to the stability of fuel supply in the country.
In addition, wholesalers are required to provide written justification for any reductions in supply or non-delivery of fuel orders, supported by verifiable stock and logistics evidence.
The ministry stressed that should investigations reveal that any suppliers deliberately created artificial shortages, strict punitive measures will be taken against those involved.
Picture for illustrative purposes only.
