Govt. receives 100 fuel tankers

Kinglong Motors Zambia Limited has handed over 100 fuel tankers to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, a move that will empower 12, 000 youths across the country. Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe described the fuel tankers as an…

Kinglong Motors Zambia Limited has handed over 100 fuel tankers to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, a move that will empower 12, 000 youths across the country.

Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe described the fuel tankers as an important step towards transferring the assets to the beneficiary youth cooperatives.

He made the remarks during the handover ceremony of the fuel tankers at the National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC).

Mr Kangwa explained that the fuel tanker empowerment programme was launched in 2020 to address youth unemployment, increase the participation of local players in the petroleum sector and reduce the externalisation of profits by non-Zambian oil marketing companies.

Mr Chileshe said the programme was designed to empower young Zambians to participate in the importation and transportation of petroleum products, while promoting local wealth creation.

He said the programme was also expected to contribute to the reduction of petroleum prices and ensure that more profits from the sector are retained within the country.

Mr Chileshe says the 100 fuel tankers were procured from Kinglong Zambia Limited on a hire-purchase arrangement, with the government paying 50 percent of the total cost upfront and the balance structured for repayment over three years.

He explained that the programme was implemented in two phases, with the first 50 tankers arriving in 2021 and being allocated to 50 youth cooperatives operating under Kapesika and Mount Meru.

Mr Chileshe said another 50 tankers arrived in 2022 and were allocated to an additional 50 youth cooperatives, bringing the total number of beneficiary cooperatives to 100.

He has urged the beneficiaries to use the tankers as productive assets to build sustainable businesses, create employment and contribute to national economic growth.

Mr Chileshe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that youth empowerment programmes translate into real economic opportunities, sustainable enterprises and improved livelihoods.

And Kinglong Motors Limited, General Manager Wu Chunming reaffirmed the company’s commitment to partnering with the government in promoting youth empowerment and economic development.

Mr Chunming said the occasion represents more than the handover of equipment, but a partnership aimed at creating meaningful economic opportunities for young people.