Cabo Delgado facing fuel shortage – AIM report

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Cabo Delgado facing fuel shortage – AIM report

5:08 CAT | 18 Feb 2020

File photo: Lusa

The northern districts of Cabo Delgado province are facing restrictions in the supply of fuel, because of the collapse of the bridge over the Montepuez river on 27 December.

The bridge was part of the key road running from the provincial capital, Pemba, to the north of the province, and was crucial for supplying the northern districts, including with fuel.

The six districts affected, Macomia, Mueda, Muidumbe, Nangade, Mocimboa da Praia and Palma, are now running short of fuel.

Interviewed by the independent newssheet “Carta de Mocambique”, the National Director of Hydrocarbons and Fuel, in the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, Moises Paulino, said the shortages are driving prices up.

“Fuel supplies in that area are limited”, he said. “As a result prices are rising on the informal market, though not at the filling stations, where we are in control”.

Alternatives are being used to carry fuel, as well as basic foods, to the northern districts. Paulino said this includes putting fuel trucks onto barges and floating them up rivers.

The bridge over the Montepuez river is not likely to be repaired until March. In the meantime, the authorities are trying to improvise a causeway across the river that can be used by trucks of up to ten tonnes.

Paulino also said the government is not planning any changes in fuel prices in the immediate future.

“There’s no reason for alarm”, he said. Nobody should increase the price of food, or anything else they are selling because of the price of fuel. “Fuel is being managed in accordance with the market economy, and right now there is no reason to move prices either up or down”.

The last change in fuel prices was in August 2019. Since the price of a litre of petrol has held steady at 66.49 meticais (1.03 US dollars, at current exchange rates), and that of a litre of diesel at 63.51 meticais.

Source: AIM