By Own Correspondent| Government has released US$60 million (Friday) towards the procurement of fuel as the situation remains precarious in the face of the unavailability of the precious commodity which has been in short supply in the past few days.

Fuel black marketeers have capitalised on the fuel shortages to charge $15 for five litres of petrol and $12 for five litres of diesel.

According to the Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Energy Mutodi, the government has released some funds towards alleviating the current crisis which, however, will require constant monitoring as the US$60 million released will only last three weeks given the country’s US$$20 million per week fuel requirement.

Meanwhile, the recently gazetted increase in excise duty of both petrol and diesel, 6.5 cents and 7 cents respectively, is expected to come into effect on the first of December (tomorrow) which will most likely result in marginal increases of the precious commodity.-StateMedia