The more expensive the fuel, the more difficult the life – Mozambique

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The more expensive the fuel, the more difficult the life – Mozambique

8:43 CAT | 22 Aug 2018

Photo: DW

The prices of gasoline, diesel and domestic gas in Mozambique has gone up again. In central Manica province, motorists and haulers alike complain about the “galloping” rise in fuel prices.

On Thursday (16.08), the Mozambican government raised fuel prices yet again. The cost of gasoline rose from 66.55 meticais (one Euro) to 69.53 meticais (1.05 Euro) per litre, diesel increased from 62.92 meticais (0.95 Euro ) to 64.66 meticais (0.97 Euro). Domestic gas rose from 60.33 meticais (0.91 Euro ) to 61.13 meticais (0.92 Euro).

In a round of the gas stations in Chimoio, the capital of the province of Manica, DW Africa found the pumps almost deserted. Many motorists consider the new prices intolerable, given the crisis the country is experiencing and the current cost of living.

Taxi driver Belito Viola criticises the government for adjusting fuel prices monthly, a measure that is increasingly affecting citizens’ pockets. “We want a one-time fee. If it’s 100 meticais a litre, so be it. At least we’ll know,” he says.

Another driver, Jordão Milasso, says the increase is worrying, and only complicates the citizens’ daily routine. “Things are becoming increasingly difficult,” he complains.

More costs for passengers

Minibus drivers Filimone Mines and Tomé Albano say that the increases are hampering day-to-day activities and may also lead to higher fares, as transport companies pass the rise on.

“Business is very slow because of this. More and more, the price of the fuel increases, but the price of the ‘Chapas’ is not increasing, so we don’t make a profit,” Mines explains.

“We wanted the fuel price to stop rise again and again,” Albano says. “At least if it stopped, then passengers would be able to travel.”

The monthly adjustment, provided for in the law, takes place whenever there is a change of more than 3 percent in the base price of fuels (through variations in international prices or metical exchange rates), or in case of a change in the duty regime.

Source: Deutsche Welle