Fuel scarcity and record price hikes have hit Buea and Kumba in recent days, with roadside fuel, commonly known as “funge” or “corner road” selling at over FCFA 1,000 per litre.
Many car and bike owners have abandoned the roadside option, which previously sold much cheaper than the official FCFA 840 per litre at fuel stations, with long queues now forming at fuel stations.
Many fuel stations ran out of the liquid over the past days, causing long queues at stations where fuel is still available.
In Kumba, roadside petrol that used to sell for FCFA 650 per litre is now reportedly selling at some vendors for FCFA 1,500 per litre.
Motorcycle transport fares have also increased, with some bike riders charging FCFA 500 or even 1,000 for a single drop.
For over two days, people have been struggling to find petrol. While vendors point to a general scarcity of fuel, some customers believe that petrol is available but that some dealers are taking advantage of the scarcity to sell it at exorbitant prices.
The situation is hurting ordinary citizens, especially parents, students, workers, and motorcycle riders who depend on public transportation for their daily activities.
A Kumba resident who spoke to MMI News on Tuesda has decried the skyrocketing prices, describing the situation as unbearable for ordinary citizens. He called on the government to intervene urgently, warning that essential goods like petrol should not become a tool for exploiting citizens during difficult times.
“The big question is: How will ordinary citizens survive, and how will our children go to school?” he asked.
Cameroon has been vulnerable to fuel shocks since 2019, when the national oil refinery Sonara was destroyed by a fire. Since then, the country has been importing all its refined petrol while exporting crude to other partners.
Over the years, citizens have largely depended on smuggled fuel from neighboring Nigeria, which is hawked by the roadside at prices much cheaper than the official pomp price.