Fuel increase adds up hardship … and is it a crisis?
Residents of Freetown have had a restless time minutes after the announcement of the price of fuel from Le 17,500 to relatively Le 22,500.
The announcement which came out Sunday 21st indicated that fuel oil would now be sold using ‘metric’ in place of the old ‘imperial’ system,’ thus the unrestrained introduction of ‘litre’ as a substitute of the old ‘gallon’ method.
Consequent to the above, it was declared though that the cost for a litre of fuel oil (petrol, diesel, kerosene) should now be sold at flat rate of Le 5,000.
It has been confirmed that ‘four and a half’ of litres of fuel amounts to a gallon, and gives a cost of Le 22,500.
Comparatively, it makes obvious that the cost for a gallon as at Monday 22nd has been raised to Le 22,500 instead of Le 17,500.
Even though government insists it has no hand in the recent fuel increase, facts have it that the decision to sell fuel using the ‘litre’ system was reached at owing to an accord between oil marketers and government.
It is confirmed though that commercial drivers have unofficially increased the cost of transportation fare unrestrained devoid of government’s consent, from Le 1,000 to unauthorized Le 1,500.
It could be recalled that the Sierra Express last month published a story informing its readers of the frightening increase of the price of fuel from Le 17,500 to Le 26,000.
In the publication, it was told that oil marketers were pacified by government to hold back on their intention of increasing the price of fuel until after the independence celebration.
Affected Freetown residents yesterday called on Sierra Express to complain of indescribable increases in the price of transport fare.
Sources say petty traders grouse over the huge increase of transportation and have vouched to also increase the price of basic commodities.
“As business people, when the price of fuel hikes, it affects us. Almost 50% of our finances are expended on transportation,” a handful of petty traders at Congo Market said.
“The recent increase in the price of fuel has left us without option, but to spend plenty of money on transportation as we move into villages in search of business goods.”
It must be summed up though that the price of cooking ingredients, of recent times, has skyrocketed.
Rice, which is Sierra Leone’s staple food, is reportedly sold at Le 1,200 per buttercup and Le 120,000.00 a bag.
As at Monday 22nd, fuel stations in Freetown witnessed the uncontrolled queuing of private and commercial vehicles, who anxiously and desperately want their tanks filled with fuel.
Despite government’s disclaimer of rumours that there is a shortage of fuel oil, filling stations in Freetown are allegedly stockpiling fuel nay the scramble for and unfailing acquisition of considerable quantity of gallons of oil by the mightiest of society.
It is understood that oil marketers are hoarding fuel to enable them to add more price to its cost.
Just last week, a text message received from an official of the Information Ministry indicates thus:
“Government of Sierra Leone wishes to inform the general public that there is no scarcity of petrol in the country. Queuing for petrol is not necessary. Current strategic stock will last for 3months.”
To the bulk of Sierra Leoneans, it sounds contradicting though that whilst the dealers say fuel is lacking, government say it is more than enough …
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