Lubumbashi plunges into new fuel shortage

For two days, there has been a new shortage of fuel in Lubumbashi, capital of the Haut-Katanga province, as well as the southern zone of the DRC.
According to sources close to the matter, this deficiency in petroleum products is a result of the hardening of the distributors’ tone following the failure to respect the commitments made by the Government via the Minister of the National Economy.

Oil companies say they are languishing under the weight of enormous losses and shortfalls that have not been reimbursed.

The service stations operating in Lubumbashi have remained closed for the last two. The firefighters are there but do not serve customers.

Suddenly everyone heads towards the fuel sellers commonly called Gaddafi who sell a 5 L can at a high price, between 23,000 and 25,000 Congolese Francs (CDF). It all depends on where in the city you can get fuel.

When questioned, the pump attendants say they are waiting for the order from the oil tankers who in turn are waiting to see the Government respect the commitments made.

According to certain indiscretions from the oil workers, a strike notice was sent to the National Minister of the Economy since October 18.

Indeed, two situations exacerbate oil tankers:

1° During the meeting held on September 30, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy promised partial payments on October 4 and 15, 2023. Which is not done until October 21, 2023, deplore the oil tankers.

2° The meeting of October 1, 2023 with the Petroleum Product Price Monitoring Committee noted the escalation of the main parameters of the price structure. This requires an urgent price review, insist the oil companies.

While waiting for the Government to honor all its commitments in terms of subsidies, the oil companies are sticking to their position by observing a strike.

In the meantime, the price of the trip has automatically doubled, forcing people from Lush to pay more than usual for public transport.