The Mozambican Association of Oil Companies (AMEPETROL) yesterday described the situation in the sector as "dramatic", because it is buying more expensive fuel, but there are no price updates at the filling stations.

"We have absolute faith that the government understands our plight, that it is sympathetic and will find mechanisms to ensure that companies continue to operate normally," the association's president, Michel Ussene, told Lusa.

Ussene reinforced AMEPETROL's warnings, which have been recurring since the beginning of 2022.

At issue is the fact that there are no price updates at filling stations, which are below the purchase price, accumulating a state debt with distributors.

The president of AMEPETROL pointed out that the occasional drops in the price of crude oil on the international market have not eased import costs in Mozambique, because they are offset by rising logistics costs, such as transportation and insurance.

"We're looking for mechanisms that don't harm the end consumer, the government or companies, so that there's fuel in the whole market," he emphasized.

This "equation", he continued, could include reducing taxes on oil products.

"We believe that the best mechanism may be to reduce the tax burden momentarily until the international situation changes," he said.

He said there was no risk of breakdowns at fuel stations, especially during the rainy season, with Mozambique in the path of several storms.

A source from the Energy Regulatory Authority (ARENE) also told Lusa that there was no risk of fuel supply shortages in the country, as has already happened, for example, in Malawi.