HON. MURAMBIWA:  Alright, let me come again Mr. Speaker Sir.  I am saying that my question is directed to the Minister of Energy and Power Development.  What measures do you have in place to ensure fuel adequacy during this impending festive season?

          THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. MUDYIWA):  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for a pertinent question, particularly now that we are towards the Christmas holiday where most Zimbabweans would love to travel in and out of Harare to holiday resorts and all sort of places. 

The fact is that we do have enough fuel at our depots but it is bonded – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Can you listen.

HON. MUDYIWA: We do have enough fuel at our depots in Mabvuku and Masasa but it is bonded.  This means that we need to pay before we can withdraw that fuel.  We are discussing with RBZ who issue letters of credit to fuel traders so that they access the fuel.  I can assure the nation that we do have enough fuel at our depots save for the lines of credit. If the process is expedited then the fuel can be available.  We are doing everything within our means to make sure that we have enough fuel for our motorists during the holiday – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –

*HON. TSUNGA:  The issue that has been raised by the Hon. Minister is likened to a father who tells his children that there is mealie-meal in the storehouse when they are hungry yet the children are not eating sadza.  According to her, diesel and petrol are in the reservoirs but no one is consuming them.  The Minister’s responsibility is to ensure that the fuel reaches service stations.  We would like to know the plans that the Minister has to make sure that there is fuel at service stations and not tell us about the reservoirs.  We want fuel for consumption. 

HON. MUDYIWA:  Our mandate as Ministry is to ensure that we have got enough fuel in the country and we do have enough fuel like I said before. Go to our depots, there is enough fuel which is bonded but the details of payment is the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance.  At the moment, we are working with the Ministry of Finance and the RBZ to ensure that they expedite the processes of payment so that the fuel is paid for and the traders can get the fuel from our depots.  I think I have been very clear.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Yes, the Hon. Minister is very clear.  The Ministry of Energy has brought in fuel; the Finance Ministry must make available the monies to draw that fuel to the service station.  It cannot be clearer than that.

*HON. TOGAREPI: Hon. Speaker, I have a request from Hon. Members that when the Ministers come for Question Time, there are some who are teasing the Ministers and confusing them, at the same time making noise instead of asking him questions.  So, I plead with them to respect the Ministers so that their questions are answered – [HON. MLISWA: You want to take away the duties of the Hon. Speaker when he is present.] –

THE HON. SPEAKER: Order. I do not feel threatened – [Laughter.] –