Energy Deputy Minister Charles Zulu said the Government had engaged Dalbit International Limited to construct four storage depots in Lusaka, Western, Muchinga and North-Western provinces.

Mr Zulu said construction of the fuel depots was meant to mitigate fuel shortages and consolidate the uniform pricing programme.

In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Zulu said once the fuel storage depots were completed, they would add up to the current storage capacity of 32 million litres of diesel, 19 million litres of petrol as well as, kerosene at 2.5 million litres.

This will bring the added stock days to 17 days for diesel and 23 days for petrol.

“I must state that our current storage capacity at the Ndola Fuel Terminal for diesel, is 18 million litres and petrol 37 million litres,” Mr Zulu added.

Mr Zulu said the Lusaka depot would consist of six product tanks with a combined capacity of 25 million litres of diesel, petrol and Kerosene, saying the depot was expected to be completed this month.

For the Mongu fuel depot, Mr Zulu said it would consist of five product tanks with a combined capacity of 6.5 million litres comprising diesel, petrol and kerosene, product loading gantries, fire fighting system and offices.

“The Mpika depot is expected to be completed in May, this year and it will also have a combined capacity of 6.5 million litres comprising diesel , petrol and kerosene, product loading gantries, fire fighting system and offices,” Mr Zulu said.

He said construction of the Solwezi depot was expected to be completed in May, this year and would comprise five product tanks as well.