2023-12-17 23:05:04
The Central African Republic has been experiencing a fuel crisis for a month. In Bangui, some gas stations are closed. And in the provinces, in certain villages like Bouboui, 45 km north of Bangui, there are no gas stations. It is difficult for economic operators and users to obtain it, so some young people in the sector resell fuel purchased in Bangui. While many are relieved by this resale on the informal market, others denounce the fallacious practices of certain resellers.
From our correspondent in Bangui,
In the Ombella-M’Poko valley, the village of Bouboui is isolated between tall grass, stones and an expanse of greenery. Nearly 2,000 people live there: breeders, fishermen and traders who run the livestock market, one of the largest in the country.
But over the past month, the fuel crisis has had a significant impact on the smooth running of activities. Users owe their delivery to around ten young resellers. In front of a wooden kiosk, around twenty cans are filled with gasoline. Users queue for supplies under the blazing sun. Amos is a reseller.
« In the capital’s stations, the liter costs 1 100 CFA francs. I travel the 45 km with my motorbike and I generally carry five 25 liter containers. I also pay lump sums at each barrier. Here, I sell the liter for 1 500 CFA francs to compensate for road hassles and have enough to live on “, he explains.
A crisis that impacts daily life
Problem: demand exceeds supply. The fuel crisis is now causing the prices of goods to rise and transport movement is no longer fluid in Bouboui. In households, women like Fidélia are unable to grind cassava with gasoline-powered machines.
« This fuel problem has a negative impact on my family. Most of the village’s cassava mills have ceased operations. The only ones who operate thanks to resellers charge us exorbitant prices. The small bucket of cassava that we usually grind at 50 CFA francs increases to 125 CFA francs. »
Resellers play a significant role in Bouboui but some mix the raw fuel with undesirable products such as water and dyes. Alain-Blaise, a user, complains regarding the morality of some people. “ This practice is not at all normal. I bought my motorcycle for 700 000 CFA francs. But some dealers mix the fuel with water as well as dyes to increase the quantity and get a lot of money. Today the engine of my motorcycle no longer works “, he laments.
Since the start of the year, around twenty fuel reseller depots have caught fire in Bangui and in the interior of the country, causing significant material damage. Last June, the Minister of Energy took the decision to ban the anarchic sale of fuel. But due to the lack of service stations in remote areas such as Bouboui, dealers continue to supply their villages with petroleum products.
Read alsoCentral African Republic: Bangui residents face a dragging fuel crisis
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