afrol News, 11 August - Zambia's Indeni Oil Refinery has offloaded four million litres of petroleum products to end a shortage of diesel hitting the Southern African country.

Indeni refinery, situated in the northern Ndola city, was forced to shut down operation for weeks after lack of cruel oil hindered oil production.

The refinery's officials said production has been on a 24-hour basis since last week. It has been receiving crude oil supplies from the Tanzanian capital Dar-es-Salam through a pipeline connecting the two countries which has ensured the resumption of production.

The refinery's shut down followed a sudden shortage of diesel and increase in the prices of all petroleum products by Zambia's Energy Regulation Board (ERB). Filling stations in Ndola had limited supplies, and therefore accorded preference to account holders, much to the anger of motorists.

Sylvester Hibajene, Chief Executive of ERB announced the fuel price increase. The price of diesel had been increased by K953 and petrol K1,103.

Mr Hibajene said the increase was necessitated by the high oil prices at the international market and the national currency, kwacha's depreciation against the US dollar.

"These increases are in line with the cost plus model which takes into account the cost of importing feedstock on cargo basis, among other things. "It must be emphasised that this adjustment is applicable to the current cargo, which docked in Dar-es-Salaam. The cargo enabled Indeni Petroleum Refinery to resume operations after it had shut down on 9th July 2008 due to lack of feedstock," said Mr Hibajene.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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