By Njodzeka Kernyuy
.The Cameroonian government has warned filling stations against selling kerosene meant for household consumption to forestry and mining companies, industries, and bakeries
In a statement on Saturday emphasizing a communiqué signed on August 11, Water and Energy Minister, Gaston Eloundou Essomba said defaulters would be severely punished.
He said non-household consumers, as per the regulation, can only buy kerosene directly from SCDP depots.
That is because there, kerosene is sold at 560.19 CFA francs per litre compared to the household price 350 CFA francs per liter..
This discouragement is because the government has heavily subsidised the kerosene at filling stations to ensure every household benefits.
Minister Essomba, however, accused these companies of recruiting young people to line up at gas stations to obtain the product.
“This practice, which is unfortunately growing, constitutes a flagrant violation of the regulations in force,” he said.
“These practices, contrary to current regulations, unfortunately lead to tensions over kerosene, with households sometimes forced to travel to several gas stations to obtain it,” he added.
To further crack down on such actions, the minister issued a new order limiting the maximum volume sold at filling stations to 10 litres of kerosene per user.
Previously, as per Circular Letter No. 000001/MINEE of February 21, 2023, regulating the distribution of kerosene in Cameroon, the maximum volume that was being sold was 100 litres per user.
