The fuel crisis in Bangui: a situation that paralyzes the lives of residents
For two weeks, a fuel crisis has been raging in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. This crisis was caused by the closure of gas stations that were previously managed by Total, now taken over by Tamoil. The reason for this closure is non-payment of customs fees, which has led to a scarcity of petroleum products in the city. The consequences are disastrous for residents who see their travel and economic activities severely disrupted.
The situation at gas stations in Bangui has become chaotic. Endless queues form at dawn and tensions increase between users who fight to obtain a few liters of fuel. Some say that you have to come very early in the morning, or even at night, to hope to find any. Even then, you sometimes have to negotiate with the pump attendant to get fuel. This shortage has a considerable impact on the daily lives of residents.
The consequences of this fuel crisis are being felt in many economic sectors. Public transport is particularly affected, with an increase in the cost of travel. Taxis and motorcycle taxis have increased their prices, which weighs heavily on residents’ budgets. Some are even forced to do their shopping on foot, due to lack of transportation. Socio-economic activities are also affected, with a slowdown in production and an increase in the cost of raw materials for some local businesses.
The situation is all the more worrying as alternative gas stations, such as Tradex and Green Oil, are unable to meet the general demand for petroleum products. The inhabitants of Bangui therefore find themselves in an impasse, dependent on a rapid and lasting solution to resolve this fuel crisis.
Faced with this critical situation, Tamoil managers recently met with the authorities to find an administrative solution allowing the reopening of service stations. Bangui residents hope that this impasse will be resolved quickly, giving them normal access to the fuel necessary for their travel and economic activity.
In conclusion, the fuel crisis in Bangui paralyzes the daily life of residents. Fuel supply difficulties impact not only travel, but also the city’s economic activities. There is now an urgent need to find a lasting solution to restore fuel supplies in the Central African capital.