By Jean Pierre Nkunzimana

A FUEL shortage in Burundi has led to rationing of fuel and doubling of prices. The shortage follows an order by the Burundi general prosecutor, Elysée Ndaye, for the impounding of trucks and fuel tankers belonging to Interpetrol Company and freezing of all the company’s bank accounts in Burundi. The company supplies more than 50% of fuel in Burundi.

Fuel rationing started on August 21, causing queues of vehicles at petrol stations. Stations supplied by Interpetrol have no fuel, while those supplied by Engen have limited amounts.

In Bujumbura, a few filling stations sell diesel to only customers who queue for more than an hour.

Only one of the seven fuel stations in the country’s town of Gitega still has fuel. The prices vary depending on supply and demand.

In Rumonge town, the price of petrol has almost doubled, varying between 1,150 and 2,000 francs.

In Ngozi province, fuel is smuggled from Rwanda and sold outside petrol stations at no fixed price

The high fuel price has led to an increase in the price of commodities.