19 March 2014, Banjul – As Gambia grapples with another fuel scarcity, there are reports that a supply ship laden with fuel has docked at Banjul seaport.
However, the same reports indicated that as the fuel supplier and importer work on the business of delivery, it was not clear when this fuel would reach the filling stations and ease the increasingly acute situation in the country.
It was not possible yesterday to reach and confirm this with officials of Gam-Petroleum, the company responsible for the importation of all fuel into the country.
Gam-petroleum claims that it “now operates the sub-region’s largest oil and gas storage container facility, which is set to boost supply not only in The Gambia but also in neighbouring countries”.
Yet since last week, there has been talk of a looming fuel shortage, reportedly due to the late arrival of the next supply vessel in the country.
The Gambia is dependent entirely on imported fuel to meet the country’s energy needs in all sectors, including for the heavy fuel used for electricity generation.
Meanwhile, the situation is taking its toll on public transportation and the movement of commuters.
Many commuters are stranded these days for long, as they wait for taxis to transport them to various destinations in the Greater Banjul Area and beyond.
This is evident along Kairaba Avenue, the Westfield-Cooperative area and Serrekunda to Brikama highway, as well as the major car parks.
Among them were school children and civil servants, and many others who leave their various homes and go to town in search of the daily bread.
Those living in far away places are more affected, as the drivers coming from Banjul only stop at Westfied Junction.
Drivers from Westfield also stop at Tallinding and Tabokoto, making it difficult for those going to Brikama and beyond.
Some commuters spoke to our reporter, and expressed great worry about the effects of the present crisis.
Speaking at Westfield Junction, Sanna Saidykhan, a student, said these days he walks from Sinchu Alajie village to school, since the fuel shortage started.
The Point