There was a severe fuel scarcity in Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State, on Friday as a result of petrol station owners closing their businesses due to disagreements with the local authorities over fuel rates.
Dealers are required to sell fuel at SSP 2,400 per litre by the local government. The owners of the petrol stations, however, argue that 3,200 is more reasonable in light of other expenses, transportation, and the pound’s decline in value relative to the dollar. In Rumbek town, gasoline and diesel are sold on the illegal market for SSP 10,000 per litre.
However, Adhal Fatah Juma, the manager of the Rumbek Rapid Fuel Station, stated to Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the fuel problem was brought on by scarcity. Only his and another petrol station are operating at the moment, he claimed, and they will run out of fuel tomorrow.
“At SSP 2,400 per litre, we are presently selling both diesel and gasoline. We asked our government a few days ago to sell at 3,200 so that we could handle the issue, but they haven’t responded as of yet,” he said. “The majority of petrol stations are closed because they are out of fuel. Additionally, I won’t have much fuel left by tomorrow. We are awaiting the government’s clearance on our proposal to sell fuel at SSP 3,200.
Fatah blamed the high cost of imports and Rumbek’s gasoline crisis on the strong dollar.
The value of the American dollar has been erratic. All of Juba’s gas stations are currently operational, and gas now costs SSP 3,000. Many petrol shops in Rumbek closed because we import fuel from Kenya and cannot sell it there for SSP 2,400 if it is SSP 3,000 in Juba, the man said. “We are awaiting word from our government in Lakes State regarding our request to sell fuel at SSP 3,200.”
Rumbek boda-boda rider Joseph Makur, for his part, verified to this publication that petrol stations are closed, confusing people since fuel on the illicit market is too costly.
“Fuel is too expensive; on the underground market, a litre currently costs SSP 10,000. The fuel stations told us that the dollar is the issue and that they are not having any problems when we asked them why they were closed, he claimed. “Our work is being impacted by the fuel shortage, and we are at a loss for what to do because everything in the market is now expensive.”
Concurrently, Daniel Laat Kon, the coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO) in Lakes State, verified that the majority of Rumbek’s petrol stations have closed, resulting in a severe fuel shortage that is worrisome.
“The fuel station managers decided to raise the fuel to 3,000 per litre when the dollar went up to SSP 2,000, but that agreement did not work well with the government and this is what made the dealers close down fuel stations,” the official stated. “The price which was agreed upon between the government and the fuel station managers was SSP 2,400,” the official said. “We are concerned that despite the government permitting 1.5 litres of fuel to be sold for SSP 10,000 on the black market, fuel stations have closed due to SSP 3,000.” We are now asking the government, “What difference does it make if you accept and pay attention to fuel station managers’ requests that fuel be increased to SSP 3,000?”
Laat claims that the majority of drivers have parked their cars since it is difficult to get fuel.
He said, “We make an appeal to the state to reevaluate their choice and pay attention to the demands of the fuel dealers with fuel stations.”
