DAR ES SALAAM, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities on Tuesday reassured the public of sufficient fuel supplies despite ongoing disruptions in the global market linked to the Middle East crisis, while warning traders against hoarding petroleum products.

This photo taken on Sept. 22, 2023 shows the city view in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. (File photo: Xinhua)

Minister of Energy Deogratius Ndejembi said in the capital, Dodoma, that the government has put in place measures to ensure a steady supply and maintain market stability.

Ndejembi directed the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) to conduct inspections of fuel storage facilities to prevent traders from withholding supplies in anticipation of price increases.

He also ordered the formation of a special task force, comprising experts from EWURA, the Petroleum Bulk Procurement Agency (PBPA), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, and security agencies, to closely monitor fuel imports and track shipments.

"The global fuel market is unstable, and we will not tolerate any breach of supply contracts," Ndejembi said, warning that authorities would act against any attempt to divert fuel shipments for profit.

He said that all fuel held in depots must be released promptly to the market, while PBPA was instructed to ensure the timely delivery of contracted supplies and EWURA to carry out daily monitoring.