17 Jan 2019

Ghanzi residents have been assured that  the fueling of government vehicles in private fuel stations would not result in monopolies.

Addressing a stakeholder meeting in the township on January 16, Public Enterprises Evaluation Privatisation Agency, director of Public Service Outsourcing Mr Ishmael Joseph explained that as the move would be done for the benefit of all, not a privileged few.

He said the intention was to withdraw government from commercial activities that could be better undertaken by the private sector.

Mr Joseph said government currently had 33 fuel stations across the country with about P350 million used per annum as fuel costs.

“All the contracts that the government has are coming to an end by June this year and this is the same time that privatization transition is expected to take place,” he said.

He said some of the stations  would be privatised, others closed while a few would be left to operate as strategic points to be used in times of crisis such as foot and mouth disease outbreaks.

“Privatising will reduce the burden on the government and also create employment. Those working on private fuel stations will not be affected by this privatisation because they will continue working,” he said.

Asked by Mr Stanley Peacock, who owns TA Airfield filling station on how fueling in private filling stations would reduce the burden on government, Mr Joseph explained that the administrative work involved in running government fuel stations would be reduced.

“This is not the government’s first initiative to privatise public entity as  BTC was recently privatised and now Batswana are owning about 40 per cent shares of the company,” said Mr Joseph.

He further implored stakeholders to come up with methods of privatisation and payment that government could use to pay contracted private fuel stations  to avoid unnecessary delays.

Mr Joseph also requested ideas on equipment that could be used for monitoring the process.

KTC filling station owner Mr Johannes Merwe thanked government for the new opportunities that would be availed by privatisation.

He also welcomed the consultation process saying it showed engagement of Batswana on decision making and encouraged them to continue with the good work. ENDS