Mozambique: MIREME safeguards public interest in fuel marking process – Minister

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Mozambique: MIREME safeguards public interest in fuel marking process – Minister

2:08 CAT | 04 Dec 2020

Photo: O Pais

The government has taken over the fuel marking process for the duration of the dispute over the public tender for the new operator. The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy explained in parliament the reasons for the controversy and what is actually at stake.

In response to deputies’ questions, Max Tonela opened the books and explained the facts: the process is being subject to hostile interference from entrenched interests acting contrary to the national interest.

“Since the beginning of the launch of the tender, the resistance of entrenched interests was evident. This culminated in attempts to discredit the process, which was transparent and fair, and which would bring benefits to the State, as well as to the industry and the Mozambican population in general. As a result of this process, one of the contestants appealed (to the justice agencies) within the limits and rights it enjoys, and the Government, respecting these rights, expects that the public interest shall prevail, regardless of the groups’ interest,” Minister Tonela said.

Even so, the marking of fuels is irreversible, as it is only thus that the criminal syndicates entrenched in the sector can be dismantled and the final consumer protected.

“There is a practice of adulteration or vitiation of fuels or the mixture of cheaper fuels, such as mixing lighting oil with diesel, and which are sold as diesel, creating problems for industrial equipment for vehicle engines and reducing the useful life of such equipment, harming end users and jeopardising the safeguarding of the environment,” the minister said.

So the government has taken over the fuel-marking functions until the judicial process around the public tender is concluded.

“In order not to leave a void, the Government decided to take the fuel marking process upon itself from 1 December this year, pending the outcome of the court case. Therefore, at the moment, they are under the responsibility of a joint team involving the general inspection of MIREME, which, among other duties, is responsible for coordinating with other institutions with a view to protecting and combating smuggling, illegal marketing and adulteration of petroleum products,” Minister Tonela explained.

Source: O País