01-05-02 One of the indigenous companies in the fuel sector of Zimbabwe, Comoil, has invested Z$ 100 mm into the development of a state-of-the-art service station at Juru growth point in Mashonaland East. A spokesman for the company said that the service station, which will create at least 20 new jobs, would have convenience shops, offering a variety of products.

The first stage of the development of the service station has already started and completion is scheduled for June. "We are the first indigenous fuel company to develop a massive service station at a growth point and it is our intention to continue expanding and take our position as the leader in the sector," said the spokesman.
Multi-nationals have for long dominated the fuel sector but indigenous firms are slowly breaking the dominance. "The big companies have dominated the sector because they have a solid infrastructure, which we do not have. "What we have done so far is to strengthen our retail standing. We are, however, working on developing our own storage tanks."

Comoil has plans to develop service stations in the central business district of Harare to be able to compete on equal footing with established firms. The improvement of fuel supply has resulted in Comoil buying its fuel from Noczim. Direct fuel imports are going to the Tobacco Growers Trust.
"TGT placed an order for Z$ 3 mm worth of diesel with us for distribution to tobacco growers. "We have delivered 3 mm litres at Z$ 42,70 a litre to farmers since last August on behalf of the TGT," the spokesman said.