K85 Million Mpika Fuel Storage Depot Commissioned

Part of the Mpika Fuel Storage Depot -Picture by Paul Shalala

By Paul Shalala in Mpika

The Mpika Fuel Storage Depot which has been constructed at the cost of K85 million is now fully operational.

The facility, whose construction started in March 2011, has the capacity of 6.5 million liters for petroleum products.

Government constructed the facility with funding from its strategic fuel reserve funds.


"The commissioning of the Mpika Fuel Storage Depot is a confirmation that the removal of subsidies is bearing fruit in Zambia," said Lands Minister Mwansa Kapeya who commissioned the facility on Friday last week at a ceremony attended by 5 local chiefs and scores of Mpika residents.


Mr Kapeya, who is also Mpika Central Member of Parliament, said the commissioning of the fuel depot in Muchinga Province will help reduce the cost of fuel in the area.



"This facility is expected to supply fuel to Luapula, Muchinga and Northern Provinces at a cheaper price," he added said.

At tfull capacity, the Mpika Fuel Storage Depot is expected to be dispatching atleast 40 trucks full of petroleum products on a daily basis.


 "In its full capacity, this depot will be able to receive 30 trucks full of stock and we will be able to dispatch 40 trucks full of petroleum products on a daily basis," said Davison Thawete, TAZAMA Managing Director.

The Mpika Fuel Storage Depot becomes the second such facility to be commissioned after the Lusaka Depot was commissioned in August 2013.

Under phase one of the constructiuon of provincial fuel depots, government is also constructing such facilities in Mongu and Solwezi where works have already commenced.

In the next two years, construction works under phase two of the provincial fuel depots will also commence in Choma, Kapiri Mposhi, Chipata, Kasama and Mansa.