© AFP – GUERCHOM NDEBO
A gas station in Bukavu, DRC. (illustration image)
Despite the global crisis, the authorities have guaranteed price stability at the pump by increasing the share of government subsidies to oil companies. But these subsidies, which weigh heavily on the finances of the State, have not yet been paid. During the cabinet meeting on Friday, President Felix Tshisekedi asked the government to “reduce the pressure” on finances and on business income, which would simply mean reducing subsidies, while guaranteeing the availability fuel at the pump. This might predict a further rise in the price of gasoline.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Pascal Mulegwa
For the month of August alone, the government has paid nearly USD 60 million in subsidies, but it still owes more than USD 400 million in arrears to companies. This claim has been the cause of business disruptions this year for some companies.
Reducing the threshold of subsidies for the State, is a plea from the owners of service stations, but the consequence must be assumed. Emery Mbatshi, the president of the group of private oil companies in the country. “ We must expect an increase at the pump to slightly reduce the height of the losses of the shortfall in relation to the subsidy, to allow the profession not to experience too many losses which disrupt their supply. Due to the fact that we do not pay on time, many of those who are private in the oil industry have almost closed their service stations. »
Consumer rights organizations are not opposed to the increase advocated by the oil companies, but want it to be light. Derick Tshibangu of the Consumer Organization of Congo (ODC). ” We are asking for the same increase but balanced and light, as we have always done since we must also take into account the stock market for ordinary Congolese. Just for this year, we carried out three or four revisits, it didn’t pose any problems as long as we might provide the fuel. ».
As of next week, reassures a member of the government, negotiations should start, but well before the oil companies claim the payment of the arrears.
