Congo Brazzaville : Fuel Shortage Creates Panic

The Congolese capital Brazzaville and other major cities in the country are experiencing fuel shortage.  For three weeks now (August 15, 2021) the precious liquid has been increasingly scarce at the pump in major towns of the country creating worries to most transporters especially taxi drivers and other commercial vehicle owners whose daily activities are virtually at a standstill. But the Government through the CEO of the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, Raoul Ominga has assured consumers that things will be on track in the days ahead, “The shortage is due to the low production capacity of the national refinery, which in reality only covers 50% of the needs estimated at 1.2 million tonnes per year. We are doing everything to find a lasting solution to the problem.” He explained. 
RFI reports that at a service station located not far from Boulevard Alfred-Raoul, the long lines of cars stretches over 100 meters. Amongst those waiting on the scene after arriving around at about 1:00 pm, is Joël, a taxi driver in his late thirties, who was still not served more the seven hours after (at 7:00 pm), “It disturbs us a lot. It’s both a shortfall for us and for our bosses” Joel lamented. At stations that still had some fuel to offer, clients were at the mercy of the pump attendants who demand tips in order to serve them in the containers and not directly in the vehicles, because of the crowd, says another vehicle driver, “When there is little fuel, the pump attendants first sell to...