Mozambique is grappling with fuel shortages in parts of the country, triggered by a critical shortage of foreign currency, particularly US dollars, needed for imports.
The fuel scarcity has hit the central city of Beira and the northern city of Pemba the hardest, with some gas stations running dry and triggering a thriving black market for the commodity.
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Estêvão Pale confirmed that fuel companies are struggling to secure guarantees from commercial banks to facilitate imports.
“What is happening is that some gas stations are experiencing difficulties in obtaining guarantees from banks so that the fuel can be made available to the market,” Pale told journalists on Monday in Ponta Do Ouro in Maputo province.
He, however, assured the public that fuel remains available in the country but acknowledged that logistical challenges caused by currency shortages are impeding distribution.
“This problem is being handled, not only with commercial banks but also by the central bank, which guarantees that there is enough currency for this,” he said.
State-owned fuel company Petromoc recently warned that the foreign currency shortage is severely compromising the importation of liquid fuels.
Many fuel stations have already exhausted their supplies of petrol and diesel, exacerbating the crisis.
JN/APA