MOTORISTS across the country can now enjoy some relief as fuel prices have dropped for October 2024, compared to the previous month.

The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) yesterday announced new fuel prices, attributing the decrease to lower fuel prices in the Middle East market.

EWURA report said that petrol prices for imports through Dar es Salaam port decreased from 3,140/- per litre in September to 3,011/- for October quotations, a 4.1 percent reduction. 

Similarly, prices for petrol from the port of Tanga dropped from 3,141/- to 3,016/- per litre, and for Mtwara port imports, prices decreased from 3,142/- to  3,016/-, it said.

Diesel prices followed a similar trend, with a significant drop for Dar es Salaam port imports, l from 3,011/- in September to 2,846/- in October quotations. Diesel prices at ex-Tanga port imports decreased from 3,020/- to 2,859/-, and at Mtwara port, the price went down from 3,021/- to 2,862/- per litre.

Dr James Mwainyekule, the EWURA director general said in a statement that the drop in prices is a result of declining fuel costs in the Arabian market. 

Fuel prices in the country are based on free on board (FOB) prices from the Arabian market, with the October 2024 prices reflecting the trends as moving from September import quotations.

In comparison to August 2024, petrol prices have dropped by 7.42 percent, diesel by 9.15 percent and kerosene by 8.23 percent. Import costs (premiums) for petrol saw a slight increase of 2.63 percent, while diesel premiums decreased by a significant 16.58 percent, MOTORISTS falling by 3.39 percent, he said.

The reduction in fuel prices is expected to provide some relief to businesses and households, with interviewed drivers expressing relief over the drop in fuel prices.

Some used to cross border points to refuel at lower costs, they said, where John Lyaheja, a freight transit cargo reaching some nearby countries, said they used to pay 3,374/- per litre of diesel in Mbeya, while in Zambia diesel prices ranged from 2,800/- to 2,900/- per litre.

“For those of us who fill large quantities of fuel, around 200 liters, we found it cheaper to refuel on the other side of the border, as we were saving up to 300,000/-, helping to cover our other needs," he asserted.

 “We appreciate the authorities for thinking of lowering fuel prices, as it will continue to ease our living expenses. We urge the government to keep an eye on this issue and, if possible, lower prices even further,” a city taxi driver intoned.