Zambia has temporarily suspended exports of crude oil to neighbouring Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after fuel shortages hit the Southern African country, state media reported on Friday.
The suspension will remain in force until the situation improves in Zambia, said the report in the state-run Zambia Daily Mail, quoting Energy Minister George Mpombo.
The fuel shortages in Zambia have been caused by a defect in the machinery at the country’s sole oil refinery plant, which is currently being repaired, Mpombo told the newspaper.
He said the current stock in the country could not meet the export demands to Zimbabwe and the DRC, the newspaper said.
Zambia has been experiencing fuel shortages, especially diesel, in the past few days due to technical problems at the Indeni Oil Refinery plant. — Sapa-AFP