Government Warns Oil Marketing Companies: Fuel Tankers May Be Repossessed Over Unpaid Dividends

The Zambian Government has issued a strong warning to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) that have failed to meet their financial obligations under the Youth Empowerment Scheme. Authorities say fuel tankers distributed through the program may be repossessed from companies that have not remitted agreed dividends.

Youth, Sport and Arts Minister Elvis Nkandu revealed that several OMCs that received fuel tankers through the initiative have defaulted on their commitment to pay dividends. This failure, he noted, undermines the core objective of the empowerment programme.

“These tankers were not just given out as gifts—they are investments made to uplift youth cooperatives,” Minister Nkandu told ZNBC News. “We are now considering repossessing tankers from companies that are not complying with the terms.”

The tankers were allocated through the Ministry’s Youth Empowerment Scheme, which is designed to help youth-led cooperatives and entrepreneurs gain access to the petroleum sector in partnership with OMCs.

Nkandu stressed the need for accountability in such empowerment efforts and urged all OMCs involved to settle outstanding payments owed to the youth groups.

He also encouraged Zambians, especially young people, to adopt a culture of responsibility and repayment. “For empowerment programmes to work and reach more youths in the future, we need a change in mindset. Empowerment should be earned and maintained through dedication and accountability,” he said.

The Ministry has stated it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary action to ensure the Youth Empowerment Scheme achieves its intended impact.