Fuel prices soar as West Darfur pumps run dry

Fuel prices and transport tariffs have risen in West Darfur – filling stations ran out of petrol and diesel on Wednesday.

One of the fuel dealers in the state capital El Geneina told Radio Dabanga that the price of a gallon of petrol has risen from SDG40 ($6.55) to SDG62 ($10), a barrel of petrol from SDG1,750 ($286) to SDG2,350 ($385), and a barrel of diesel from SDG1,050 ($172) to SDG1,150 SDG ($188). The tariff of transportation from El Geneina to Khartoum has risen from SDG500 ($82) to SDG700 ($115).

The dealer confirmed that fuel stations closed their doors in El Geneina on Wednesday.

Oil Minister

The Oil Minister, Mohammed Zayed Awad denied that there is any petrol shortage or crisis. He accused the population of “taking additional petrol. More than their need”.

He said that the vehicle queuing in front of fuel stations in the capital Khartoum was caused by panic during the past few days.

Awad vowed to forma a state committee to investigate the causes of the crisis and promised at the same time to end the crisis within two days. He pointed to the rise in petrol consumption in the capital from 1,500 to 1,800 metric tons.

An official source at the Ministry told the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) that in the last few days, the Ministry has been pumping 1,800 metric tons of petrol a day, raising it to 2,000 metric tones, then increasing it to 2,500 metric tons on Monday and to more than 3,100 metric tons on Tuesday to meet the daily demands in Khartoum.