KIGALI - The government has embarked on a campaign to sensitize private investors to construct fuel reserves across the country as a means of solving fuel shortages.

Francoise Mukakalisa, an official in charge of petroleum in the Ministry of Infrastructure (MINIFRA), said that there are insufficient fuel storage facilities, which has lead to delays in the supply of fuel.

"Currently our country has fuel reserves with the capacity to store around 31,000 cubic metres ,” she said. "We have set a target of at least having 80,000 cubic metres fuel storage facilities by 2012.

Mukakalisa noted that the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS), calls for the availability of sufficient fuel reserves that can sustain the country for a period of four months in case of a fuel crisis.

She further noted that some private investors from around the region have already expressed interest in having their reserves here, giving an example of Falcon Oil Storage Facilities from Burundi and Oilcom from Tanzania among others.

She added that Falcon has finished carrying out their feasibility studies in Rugende Sector, Gasabo District where they will construct a reserve.

The government currently has reserves in Gasabo, Kicukiro and Huye districts.

Ends