Title: Queues in front of gas stations in Bangui: a recurring problem that persists
Introduction :
For several weeks, residents of Bangui have been facing a frustrating situation: endless queues in front of the city’s gas stations. This situation was caused by the closure of TotalEnergies branches, renamed Tamoil RCA, and taken over by TransAfricaMarket Oil. However, this transition was not without problems, as the buyer was asked for large sums of money by the authorities. In this article, we will examine the reasons for this crisis and its consequences on the population.
The weight of tax debts:
According to the Ministry of Energy, the former Total Centrafrique, renamed Tamoil RCA, has accumulated tax debts amounting to more than 2 billion CFA francs (around 3.2 million euros) unpaid in May and last August. In order to resolve this situation, the government suspended the company’s customs operations until these debts are settled. This measure had a direct impact on the city’s fuel supply, thus worsening the already precarious situation.
Administrative compliance requests:
In addition to the tax debts, the Central African government claims that Tamoil did not submit the necessary documents to obtain the required approval. This results in a demand of more than one billion FCFA for the transfer of business assets, as well as a fine of 200 million FCFA for “illegal exploitation without approval for the importation and distribution of petroleum products.” These administrative requests therefore add to the company’s financial problems and further complicate the situation.
The consequences on the population:
The consequences of this oil crisis are serious for the population of Bangui. Queues at gas stations are getting longer every day, causing frustration and anger among motorists. Many residents find themselves unable to travel or face additional expenses to obtain fuel at exorbitant prices on the black market. This precarious situation also impacts the local economy, with businesses struggling to maintain their activities due to lack of fuel.
Conclusion :
The situation with queues in front of service stations in Bangui raises many questions about the management of the transition between TotalEnergies and Tamoil RCA. The tax debts accumulated by the former Total Centrafrique constituted a considerable burden for the buyer and led to additional administrative requests. Until these problems are resolved, the population of Bangui is suffering the consequences of this crisis, with difficulties in traveling and additional costs to bear.. It is therefore urgent that solutions be found to guarantee the city’s fuel supply and relieve residents.