Fuel stations stop night duty
Apr 09, 2007
SEVERAL filling stations in and around Kampala have suspended their night operations as the fuel shortage continues to bite. Some filling stations no longer work 24 hours and only open during the day when they have fuel.
By Chris Kiwawulo
SEVERAL filling stations in and around Kampala have suspended their night operations as the fuel shortage continues to bite. Some filling stations no longer work 24 hours and only open during the day when they have fuel.
“We have suspended night shifts. We find no reason to keep workers at the station when there is no fuel. Moreover, it is not profitable to operate at night when there is no power.
“That means you have to use the scarce diesel to run the generators,†a dealer in Bwaise reasoned.
A number of stations have been in total darkness since Thursday. Umeme, the power distribution body last week announced that the diesel shortage had affected power production.
Consequently, there have been power cuts in several parts of the city every night.
Meanwhile, the prices of petrol and diesel have increased. Petrol has gone up from sh2,070 to sh2,100 and diesel from sh1,870 to sh1,920.
The price increment was noted at Caltex, Total and Shell stations within Kampala.
However, some profiteers are said to be selling petrol at as high as sh2,250.
The persistent fuel shortage is due to the low capacity and mechanical problem of the Kenyan pipeline.
According to Government authorities, it has forced dealers to resort to transporting fuel by truck from Mombasa.
The authorities say trucks move slowly, explaining the shortage.
SEVERAL filling stations in and around Kampala have suspended their night operations as the fuel shortage continues to bite. Some filling stations no longer work 24 hours and only open during the day when they have fuel.
“We have suspended night shifts. We find no reason to keep workers at the station when there is no fuel. Moreover, it is not profitable to operate at night when there is no power.
“That means you have to use the scarce diesel to run the generators,†a dealer in Bwaise reasoned.
A number of stations have been in total darkness since Thursday. Umeme, the power distribution body last week announced that the diesel shortage had affected power production.
Consequently, there have been power cuts in several parts of the city every night.
Meanwhile, the prices of petrol and diesel have increased. Petrol has gone up from sh2,070 to sh2,100 and diesel from sh1,870 to sh1,920.
The price increment was noted at Caltex, Total and Shell stations within Kampala.
However, some profiteers are said to be selling petrol at as high as sh2,250.
The persistent fuel shortage is due to the low capacity and mechanical problem of the Kenyan pipeline.
According to Government authorities, it has forced dealers to resort to transporting fuel by truck from Mombasa.
The authorities say trucks move slowly, explaining the shortage.