Published on : 22/04/2022 – 08:58
In Senegal, some motorists in Dakar have struggled to find gasoline in recent days at gas stations in the capital, especially diesel. Queues were observed in several neighborhoods.
With our correspondent in Dakar,Charlotte Idrac
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy recognized on Tuesday ” tensions » in procurement, particularly related to the war in Ukraine. But the risk of a shortage is receding. Fuel ships are being unloaded at the port of Dakar.
Helmet and safety vest required at the Dakar oil terminal, Issa Samb, is technical and operations manager: “ We have a boat with 25,000 tonnes of diesel. On this side, we have a boat carrying 18,500 tons of gasoline. So both happen at the same time. We are unloading to the different depots ».
« There was a rush »
Visiting the site, the Minister of Oil and Energy, Sophie Gladima, wants to be reassuring after the supply problems of recent days. ” What happened is that there was a rush. People have heard on social media that there is no diesel. But, unfortunately, this created a faster dip that the trucks are failing to replace quickly. There, exceptionally, we are seeing with the Ministry of the Interior and perhaps the companies so that the trucks can circulate at night “, she explains.
The African Refining Company (SAR) is currently in technical shutdown, but it should resume its activities at the end of the month with a production capacity of 60 to 70% of fuel needs. ” SAR has refining capacity of 1.5 million tons after the extension works. And this allows a little more security compared to imports “, explains Mahanta Guèye, technical advisor to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.
As for the current kerosene shortage at Blaise-Diagne International Airport, we hope to receive some very soon “Says a ministry official.