MIDVAAL – In a plight to reduce expenditure on refuelling municipal vehicles, the Midvaal Local Municipality (MLM) has announced a R10m investment in building a state-of-the-art fuel depot.

MLM Mayor Peter Teixeira states that the project will result in cost containment as it has 300 vehicles that regularly refuel to service the municipality’s vast geographical landscape.

“Constructing our own depot allows us to purchase fuel at wholesale market value, reducing our fuel bill by 6% to 8% per annum, which is around R2m to R3m a year.”

The fuel depot was upgraded from the previous capacities of 10 000 litres for petrol and 4 800 litres for diesel to the increased capacities of 50 000 litres for diesel and 25 000 litres for petrol.

According to Teixeira, the newly upgraded fuel depot features smart technology that monitors the quantity of fuel dispensed in real time.

“Each transaction is linked to the respective vehicle and odometer reading. The intention is that misuse and abuse of fuel should be substantially reduced. Theft and misappropriation will also be minimised. Vehicle tags, driver tags, and fuel tags are linked to ensure that staff behaviour on fuel consumption is monitored.”

Teixeira adds that a green energy feature has been added to the fuel depot with solar panels installed above the canopy.

“The energy is stored in batteries that power both the fuel station and the depot offices.”

In honour of a commitment to empowering Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), Teixeira explains that two local SMMEs were contracted to provide security and ablution services during the upgrade process. Furthermore, the project resulted in the employment of six local people.

“This upgrade initiative demonstrates Midvaal’s unwavering commitment to cost containment, and ongoing efforts to ensure that every cent is spent wisely. Through the installation of this digital fuel depot innovation and change in our approach, we will have better operational efficiencies.”