Dar es Salaam. Lake Oil Group, a major local energy conglomerate, has expressed profound disappointment after approximately 38 of its fuel stations were set on fire across Tanzania.
The Chief Operations Officer (COO), Stephen Mtemi, confirmed that the acts of arson have resulted in the immediate, unpaid leave of over 300 Tanzanian workers.
Mr Mtemi said that the destruction, which occurred amid post-election unrest, resulted in significant losses for the company, but the greater impact is on the workforce.
“Aside from the considerable damage incurred, over 300 Tanzanians who were working at these stations are now at home without a job,” Mtemi said.
He noted that the company employs approximately 8,000 people, the vast majority being Tanzanian citizens. The over 300 employees from the torched stations have been given unpaid leave.
Political rumours spark violence
The COO directly addressed the motive behind the attacks, which he suggested stemmed from widespread political rumours.
“For the news we have heard online and on the streets, many people are associating Lake Oil with politicians. It is alleged that this is what caused the attackers to carry out the violence and destroy property with the aim of reaching the politicians,” he explained.
Mr Mtemi clarified that Lake Oil is the property of a native Tanzanian citizen named Ally Adha Awadhi. He confirmed that the owner has no relationship with the politicians being named and that those individuals hold no ownership stake within the company.
He stressed that it is unfair for citizens to destroy Lake Oil’s property under the assumption of political ownership, as the action directly harms the lives of the company’s employees and the local owner.
Mtemi concluded by offering condolences to all citizens who were affected in any way by the violence that erupted following the October 29th general election.
