GOVERNMENT says the measures being implemented to cushion the petroleum sector from shocks caused by the Middle East war have not been influenced by the elections. Responding to questions from journalists, Thursday, Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary for Energy Professor Ephraim Munshifwa said interventions such as zero-rating VAT and suspending excise duty were introduced in response to the ongoing Middle East conflict and not because of elections. He said government would continue using the same measures after elections to prevent fuel price shocks that could negatively affect the economy. Prof Munshifwa further said petroleum, like electricity, was critical to the running of the economy and could not be left unmanaged. “The petroleum industry, just like the electricity side, powers the...