Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) on Tuesday published the new monthly cap prices for petroleum products in the local market, with slight reduction in retail and wholesale prices of between four and 7.8 per cent.

EWURA Director General, Mr. Haruna Masebu

A statement signed by EWURA Director General Haruna Masebu attributed the decreasing retail and wholesale prices that become effective on Wednesday to the decrease in world market prices for all products. The retail and wholesale prices for all products in the local market have decreased by 170/-, 98/- and 102/- per litre for petrol, diesel and kerosene, respectively.

Dar es Salaam residents will pay the lowest prices at 2,009/-, 1,943/- and 1,926/- for petrol, diesel and kerosene, respectively while Uvinza in Kigoma region has the highest prices at 2,252/-, 2,186/- and 2,169/- for petrol, diesel and kerosene, respectively.

Mr Masebu said oil marketing companies were free to sell their products at a price that give them competitive advantage, provided that such price does not exceed the price cap for the relevant product. “All petrol stations should publish petroleum product prices on clearly visible boards…the price boards should be clearly visible and should clearly show prices charged, discounts offered as well as any trade incentives or promotions on offer,” said Ewura chief, advising customers to purchase from retailers with the most competitive prices.

The regulatory body reminded customers to demand and keep receipts that clearly show the name of the petrol station, date of transaction, type of fuel and price per litre for every purchase. The receipts are useful as exhibits in case of a complaint lodged in the event that the selling price is above the cap price or in case the products sold are off the approved specifications.

It’s an offence that attracts punitive measures from the regulator not to have prices published on boards located in clearly visible places in front of petrol stations. In line with the prevailing sector legislation, prices of petroleum products are governed by rules of supply and demand and Ewura always encourages competition in the sector by making available petroleum products pricing informationto enable stakeholders make informed decisions.

Source Tanzania Daily News