The streets of the capital, Tunis, have been crowded for days, with long lines of cars waiting for their turn to refuel
Officials at the Tunisian General Labor Union said that the country does not have enough fuel to meet its needs for one week.
The country usually provides sufficient fuel for a period of 60 days as a strategic reserve.
The streets of the capital, Tunis, have been crowded for days with long lines of cars waiting for their turn to refuel.
Tunisian Energy Minister Nayla Nouira denies that this fuel shortage is a result of the government’s inability to pay import dues.
Nuwaira, on the other hand, insists that the reason for this shortage is that “many consumers and vehicle owners get more than their fuel needs.”
“The reason for the scarcity of fuel is people rushing,” Nouira told local media. “Many Tunisians are taking more than they need.”
However, she added, “there is financial pressure due to the immediate pace of payment requested by sellers.”
The minister noted that a new tanker full of fuel is now unloading in a way that will provide the country with fuel for a few additional days.
Silouane Samiri, a senior official with the Tunisian General Labor Union, said that the petrol tanker, which is now unloaded in Bizerte, will give Tunisia a supply of between ten days and two weeks.
“The lack of fuel supplies may resume if the state does not find enough cash to pay for the upcoming shipments,” Al-Sumairi added.
Observers fear what some see as a sign of a public finance crisis looming on the Tunisian horizon.
Tunisia is already facing a shortage of some subsidized goods. In light of the empty shelves in the shops, protests took place last month. Demonstrators demanded an international rescue plan to finance Tunisia’s debt repayments and government spending.
The Tunisian government has consistently denied its inability to pay importers of goods that the government sells at subsidized prices, such as fuel, flour, and sugar. The government had earlier blamed the internal speculators.
Last week, ratings agency Moody’s said that Tunisia faced huge financial and external imbalances, as well as escalating financing risks, representing significant credit weakness.
The Tunisian government hopes to conclude an agreement with the International Monetary Fund as soon as possible for a rescue program that includes potential reforms that do not receive popular support, but are capable of bringing more support to the budget.