Filling stations under siege as fuel scarcity grips Cameroon

Filling stations in major cities in Cameroon are facing unprecedented demand, with vehicle and motorbike owners scrambling for fuel amidst a prevailing fuel scarcity.

What initially manifested as a localized issue in Bafoussam has now spread to other urban centers, including the country’s two biggest cities Douala and Yaounde, leaving citizens grappling with long queues and surging transportation costs.

Reports from Douala, the country’s economic capital, reveal that transportation fares have doubled, exacerbating the strain on residents.

Faced with the crisis, people have been turning to illegally imported fuel, commonly called “zua zua” but reports say its price has skyrocketed amid a government crackdown on the smuggled fuel.

In Douala, reports say “zua zua” has witnessed a surge to FCFA 2,000 in certain areas, marking a significant spike from the previous FCFA 700.

This surge in prices has intensified the challenges faced by individuals, with one Douala resident expressing the grim reality, stating, “…petrol has become survival of the fittest in Douala.”

Adding that “transport fare is doubled,” he pleaded for the government to intervene urgently to rescue the population from this distressing problem.

Residents in Bafoussam, where the fuel crisis began two weeks ago, describe the situation as increasingly dire.

A resident told MMI, “I’m writing to you in tears from Bafoussam. It’s been more than two weeks today, fuel scarcity has dominated the whole town of Bafoussam.”

Filling stations in the city have run dry, impeding daily movements and leaving residents in distress.

“I had a very important appointment to catch up yesterday. I walked over more than 20 petrol stations but none had petrol,” the Bafoussam resident added.

The frustrations are similar in Yaounde, where hundreds of car and motorbike owners queued up at filling stations this morning desperate to secure fuel. But the liquid was unavailable.

A resident of Yaounde lamented the situation, noting, “Hundreds of drivers and motorcycle riders are stationed at filling stations, waiting for fuel which has been limited in supply for several hours now.”

DELAYED IMPORTATION

Amidst the growing public frustration, the government has responded, assuring citizens that fuel will be made available by Tuesday, December 12.

The Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, attributed the fuel shortage to a delay in the arrival of three vessels carrying the product, caused by adverse weather conditions.

“This disruption is mainly due to a delay in the arrival of three vessels transporting the said product, caused by unfavourable weather and sea conditions which interrupted the ship-to-ship loading of these vessels for four days at the hub port of Lomé,” the release stated.

“Currently, one of the ships is already docked in Douala with 13,000 m3 of Super,” it furthered, adding that the government has ordered the Cameroon Petroleum Depots Company (SCDP) to circulate 81 tanker trucks of fuel across the country.

Fuel scarcity is not a novel issue in Cameroon, as the country experienced a similar crisis earlier this year.

In addition to regular petrol sold at filling stations, many towns and villages, especially in the English-speaking regions, heavily rely on illegally imported fuel from Nigeria.

Despite being more affordable, the government has consistently opposed the importation and distribution of this illegal fuel.

Cameroon’s fuel woes began in 2019, after the National Oil Refinery (SONARA) caught fire, burning 70,760.400 liters of stock fuel.

The disaster has crumbled production at the company since then.

Till date, the refinery has not been repaired and Cameroon, despite producing enormous quantities of crude oil, continues to import fuel from other countries.

Mimi Mefo Info