Frelimo demands measures to deal with fuel crisis – aimnews.org

Maputo, 2 Apr (AIM) – The Frelimo party, in power in Mozambique, demanded the government to take measures to address a possible fuel shortage.

A week ago, the government assured the public that, despite US/Israeli aggression against Iran, and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Mozambique is not in imminent danger of running out of liquid fuels.

Many drivers did not believe such assurances, and there was panic buying of gasoline and diesel at fuel pumps in Maputo and the neighboring city of Matola last Friday and Saturday.

The queues of vehicles in Maputo have decreased but there are alarming reports from other parts of the country. Thus, on Thursday, the independent television station STV reported that in the city of Xai-Xai, capital of Gaza province, only two pumps had fuel to sell.

Meeting in Maputo on Wednesday, the Frelimo Political Commission took a much less optimistic position on the fuel crisis than the government. The Political Commission demanded that the government take “urgent measures” to deal with a possible fuel shortage.

In a statement read to the press by Frelimo spokesperson, Pedro Guiliche, the Commission instructed the government “to adopt short and medium-term mechanisms to face the current fuel crisis, resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, whose effects are being felt throughout the world”.

The Political Commission told the government “to ensure the availability of sufficient fuel reserves to maintain stable supplies, while monitoring developments in the conflict in the Middle East”.

As a short-term measure, the Commission ordered the government to ensure the availability of foreign exchange to import fuel and other essential goods. The government should “carefully use the Stabilization Fund, directing resources to cushion shocks, focusing on protecting the most vulnerable segments of society.”

Prices must be continuously monitored, he added, to avoid running out of stocks and avoid any speculation. It also called for an increase in fuel storage capacity.

So far there have been no requests for fuel rationing. However, this is a measure that Mozambique has used in previous moments of severe fuel shortages. A rationing system was in place in Maputo in the early 1980s and was probably instrumental in keeping transport in the city running.
(AIM)
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