BY DIRAMAKINI
THE Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) has announced a prices for petroleum products, applicable in Tanzania Mainland.
The Director General of EWURA, Engineer Modestus Lumato, said that the prices have started to be used from today, December 7, 2022 at 6:01 pm.
In December 2022 pump prices of petrol for Dar es Salaam and Mtwara decreased by TZS 59/litre and TZS 92/litre, respectively, compared to the prices in November 2022, while for Tanga, the pump prices of petrol has increased by TZS 9/Litre.
Likewise, pump prices of diesel in Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara would have increased by TZS 278/Litre, TZS 422/Litre and TZS 416/Litre, respectively.
However, to reduce the impact of an increase in diesel prices, where most of the economic activities depend on diesel, Engineer Modestus Lumato said. the Government issued a subsidy for the December 2022 fuel prices.
The subsidy has reduced diesel prices by TZS 83/Litre, TZS 247/Litre and TZS 243/Litre in Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara, respectively as shown in table below;
The price of Kerosene in Dar es Salaam has increased by TZS 141/Litre compared to the previous prices because of relatively high weighted average FOB and premium.
Pump Prices for December 2022 Before and After Subsidy in TZS/Litre
Based on the allocated subsidies for petrol and diesel, Table below shows a comparison between subsidized retail prices for November 2022 and December 2022.Applicable retail cap prices with effect from 7th December 2022 (TZS/Litre) in comparison with retail cap prices for November 2022
The applicable petroleum products cap prices with effect from 7th December 2022 are as shown in Table 3 and prices for each town, district or regional centre are as given in Table 4. Prices differ from one location to another due to differences in recommended loading port and transportation costs.Table 3: Applicable retail cap prices for each port with effect from 7th December 2022 (TZS/Litre)
During the effectiveness of these prices, wholesalers, retailers and the general public are required to adhere to the following: -(a) EWURA would like to remind the public that these cap prices can be accessed through mobile phones by dialing *152*00# and then following the provided instructions. This service is free of charge and is available in all mobile phone service providers in the country.
(b) In line with the prevailing sector legislation (Petroleum Act, 2015, section 166),prices of petroleum products are governed by rules of demand and supply.
EWURA shall continue to encourage competition in the sector by making available petroleum products pricing information including cap prices. This information on prices is intended to enable stakeholders to make informed decisions on petroleum prices at any particular time.
(c) Oil Marketing Companies are free to sell their products at a price that gives them a competitive advantage provided that, such price does not exceed the price cap and is not below the floor price for the relevant product as it is computed pursuant to the EWURA (Petroleum Products Prices Setting) Rules 2022, which were gazetted through the Government Notice No. 57 published on 28th January 2022.
(d) All petrol stations are required to publish petroleum product prices on clearly visible boards. The price boards should clearly show prices charged, discounts offered as well as any trade incentives or promotions on offer.
Consumers are encouraged to purchase from stations that sell products at the most competitive prices and offer better services. It is an offense not to have prices published on boards located in clearly visible places in front of petrol stations. Failure to adhere to this directive will attract punitive measures from EWURA.
(e) Retailers must issue receipts printed from an Electronic Fiscal Pump Printer (EFPP) for all sales that they make. In addition, consumers are required to demand and keep those receipts that clearly show the name of the petrol station, the date on which such purchase was made as well as, the type of petroleum product (fuel) and price per litre for every purchase they make.
This can be used as an exhibit in case of a complaint lodged in the event that the selling price is above the cap price or in case the products sold do not meet the approved specifications and provide an assurance that appropriate government taxes on sales of petroleum products are fully accounted for recovery from the Retailers.
(f) Retailers are required to sell petroleum products at the price with subsidy as indicated in Table 4. Legal action will be taken against any retailer who fails to comply with these instructions.
(g) Wholesalers are also required to sell petroleum products at the price with subsidy as indicated in Table 5 except to customers with tax exemption.
Legal action will be taken against any wholesaler who fails to comply with these instructions.
TABLE 4: RETAIL CAP PRICES IN TZS/LITRE
