Diesel crisis worsens

Sep 19, 2005

THE diesel crisis in Uganda has worsened with most filling stations completely running out of the product.

By Chris Kiwawulo and Hillary Kirya
THE diesel crisis in Uganda has worsened with most filling stations completely running out of the product.

Shell Uganda chief Ivan Kyayonka said the new tax system that Kenyan authorities put in place recently has persistently slowed down the supply of fuel, causing a shortage, especially of diesel.

“They are still learning the new system. Fuel is coming in but slower than how we would wish, that is why we are experiencing the shortages,” Kyayonka said.

He said he could not tell when the situation would be solved but reaffirmed that fuel trucks were on their way into the country. Firms like Salini Construction Company who are working on the Northern By-pass have reported a serious diesel shortage.

“We ordered for 200,000 litres of diesel from Shell and Total this month but we have only received 30,000, the latest supply being 10,000 litres delivered last Saturday,” said a Salini official. Last week, Ugandan oil dealers met with Kenyan authorities over the shortage, with Ugandan dealers requesting Kenyan authorities to relax the new regulations, intended to curb smuggling.
Ends

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});