Minister says fuel hoarding will be punished

Motorists are only allowed to refill their vehicles and not any additional containers for the next three months.

This comes as the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy clamps down on fuel hoarding.

“Service stations are directed, for the next three months, to only refuel directly into the customers’ vehicles. The filling of additional drums, cans or other containers will not be permitted during this period,” minister Modestus Amutse says.

Customers with a consumer installation certificate – for those working in agriculture and construction – will still be able to refill the containers used for their work.

The ministry says this decision was necessary due to the panic buying that occurred when the April fuel price increase was announced.

“This temporary measure is intended to discourage stockpiling, fuel hoarding and ensure that fuel remains accessible to all motorists,” Amutse says.

Any violations of the directive will be punished, and the minister encourages the public to report any incidents of hoarding, price manipulation or profiteering.

He says the country has sufficient fuel for the next three months and that it is not necessary to stockpile fuel. Hoarding only creates the impression of fuel shortages when there are none, he adds.

Amutse says the Namibian government has fuel supply arrangements with international fuel suppliers and that those supplies are secure.

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