MD of HASS Petroleum Mr. OmarBy: Yusuf M Hasan

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The high cost of vehicle maintenances has been attributed to the use of poor quality petroleum products.

This was said by the Managing Director-MD of HASS Petroleum Mr. Omar Hasan Mohamed during an exclusive interview with the Horn Tribune at his office in Hargeisa. The MD informed that the easy provision of smuggled fuel in the country and subsequent use is responsible increased motorists demand for repair services.

The HASS petroleum MD revealed that discussions are underway with the ministry of commerce geared towards establishing legal parameters that controls the quality of petroleum products import quality as well as deter smuggling, Said he, "If motorists use clean petroleum products vehicle maintenances costs will decrease"

The MD also revealed that HASS Petroleum is fully prepared to provide clean and cheap fuel to the nation if it wins a bid on petroleum supplier which will officially replace Total. He said his company has so far imported a large quantity of Petrol, Diesel & Oil as a pilot scheme and plans to include aviation and ship fuels.

HASS petroleum which was established 15 years ago in Nairobi Kenya, is a wholly owned Somaliland company that operates in Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Congo, South Sudan, Somaliland and Dubai, entered the local market early 2011 when the Total oil company's supply monopoly contract was revoked by the government.

While acknowledging that HASS Petroleum is a for profit company Mr. Omar Hasan Mohamed, stressed on their determination to ensure that any profits accrued are as a result of quality and affordable products. He added that within the 15 years of operations in East Africa HASS has earned respect for the quality of products.

The MD said that if they win the supply Tender the company will ensure that quality and cheap petroleum products are availed Somalilanders everywhere in the country, timely and on a regular basis.

HASS petroleum is among several companies that are awaiting result of fuel supplier tender bid from the National Tender Board thus replace Total oil company as official supplier. The Total Oil Company's contract was revoked by the government last year.

Since Total left the country, petroleum products have been availed by many importers whose imports are not only unregulated but of poor quality.