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Tina Musonza Herald Correspondent
Energy and Power Development Minister Soda Zhemu on Monday launched the fuel retail service stations grading system that is expected to see an improvement in infrastructure and service provision.
The grading system will be implemented by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority as part of its policy to raise consumer awareness to set standards in the fuel retail sector.
Speaking during the launch in Harare Minister Soda said the grading system would guide fuel-supplying companies in improving their standards to meet proper service delivery to consumers.
“In the past ZERA has demanded and enforced high standards of infrastructure and product quality in the petroleum sector through compliance enforcement.
“In 2022, the Authority raised the bar to include customer service standards in service station compliance assessments with a view of encouraging more self-assessment and self-improvement by its licences in the conduct of their business.
“To this end, they have developed a system of grading and labelling fuel service stations as a way of increasing consumer awareness to standards in the retail sector, and compliance to these standards by fuel retail stations.
“The initiative provides the fuelling public with an independent view of technical and customer service standards prevailing at graded fuel retail sites,” said Minister Soda.
He said the grading system by ZERA would help consumers realise the full range of services that fuel stations offer to enhance customer service experience and enhance value for money.
He said fuel-supplying companies had to start subscribing to a new grading system as the country pursues vision 2030 of an upper-middle income society.
ZERA board chair Doctor Dylan Madzikanda said the fuel business was expanding with more initiatives being implemented to grow the sector.
“The fuel business has continued to thrive because of the regulations and measures that we put in place.ZERA continues to protect customers in terms of the quality of fuel that they purchase as well as avoiding exploitation by dealers by putting monthly caps on the price of fuel and allowing market competition to take place.”
Online Reporter