Brazzaville’s service stations have been dry for several weeks. A situation that penalizes motorists, disrupts transport and slows down economic activity. The inhabitants of the capital wonder about this long shortage which, according to the authorities of the country, is explained by the low production rate of the national refinery.
With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Loicia Martial
Under a blazing sun, in this service station of the fifth arrondissement, a line of trucks, mini buses, and other transport vehicles stretches for several tens of meters. Some drivers have been camping there for long hours, but without hope of finding even a drop of diesel:
” Me, I spent two days at the station but I received nothing “complains one. ” We need the fuel, but we can’t find it. We stay at home and struggle with the family until the day we have fuel. We don’t even know if the shortage is due to what. We understand nothing “Laments another.
When a few cubic meters are delivered, motorists are at the mercy of gas station attendants who demand tips. The latter sometimes serve primarily those called the Gaddafis: these clandestine dealers who, on the black market, offer a liter two or three times more expensive.
” A 25 liter container of ordinary diesel is sold for 12 000 CFA francs [18,29 euros]. Now they sell it to us for 15 000 CFA francs [22,87 euros]. So they added 3,000 CFA francs [4,57 euros]. We’re lost, it doesn’t work, it penalizes us, we don’t work anymore: it’s not possible “complains a resident.
These recurring shortages are due to the fact that the national refinery covers only 65% of the country’s needs, according to the authorities.