Fuel price hike: Carriers block EN10 in Quelimane for two hours – Mozambique

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Fuel price hike: Carriers block EN10 in Quelimane for two hours – Mozambique

3:32 CAT | 19 Oct 2016

O País

A group of minibus drivers blocked the EN10 into Quelimane for two hours on Monday morning in protest against the rising cost of living generally, and the price of fuel in particular.

In Zambezia, a litre of diesel has gone up from 40.24 meticais to 49.26, and gasoline from 50.95 to 53.45 meticais. Carriers say the price is emptying their pockets and that they cannot maintain their vehicles.

The strike created stopped members of the public getting into or out of the city on the EN10 for just over two hours. Farmers who usually go to their fields in the ceramics area were also delayed.

“The cost of living has gone up, and so has fuel, and we are unable to stand it, so we’re here to protest against high prices,” said protester Timoteo Carlos.

Matilde Paulino, a farmer, did not like what she saw. “What have we done? Why are they blocking the road? It looks like we’re at war. We want to go to our plots and we can’t because of this strike. Please, let us produce,” she said.

To address the problem, the Zambezia carriers are proposing fare increases from five to thirty meticais, depending on the distance, with the exception of Milange , Molumbo, Mocubela and Gurúè, where prices vary from 450 to 500 meticais.

Source: O País