Upcountry insight: Is fuel scarcity a blessing in disguise?

EASTERN PROVINCE GATSIBO — Unscrupulous transporters and black market fuel dealers upcountry are reaping much from the current fuel scarcity; that emanated from the post election violence in Kenya, raising concerns whether it was a blessing in disguise for some people. It is clear that in spite of the shortages, pump prices remained stable, though in a bid to contain the scarcity, the government ordered fuel rationing for taxis and saloon cars. In complete disregard of the stable pump prices however, the unscrupulous group seized the opportunity of fuel scarcity to their advantage; by increasing fares and one wonders whether there are no regulations governing transporters. They have seized it as an opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of travellers. In the course, it has affected many people in different ways including the business community, who have in turn shifted the extra cost incurred in transport to their consumers; in form of increased commodity prices. Along upcountry roads, scores of travellers spend time standing on the roadside bargaining for reduced charges, which pleas mostly fall on death ears of the drivers. Most people travelling to up country places prefer to use express vehicles because of their time management style. However, it is these express companies that initiated the upward trend towards Christmas and have since failed to normalize the fare on the excuse of ‘fuel prices.’ We expected the fares to come down after the festive season but they have remained up due to the fuel shortages in the country, said Karekezi, a passenger at one of the booking offices. He appealed to concerned authorities to intervene to bring the fares down. Previously, transport from Kigali to Nyagatare was between Frw1200 and Frw1500 depending on the commuter taxi. But today because of the fuel shortages, charges have gone up to Frw1700. Other commuter taxis commonly known as Twegerane have also copied from their counterparts and are charging passengers exorbitantly. From Ryabega trading center to Kigali they are asking for Frw2000, also on the same excuse of fuel scarcity. Though filling stations were strictly warned against serving fuel in jerrycans, to prevent accidents and to check black market dealers, in villages the directive was ignored. The trade in fuel upcountry has become increasingly lucrative attracting abnormal profits for black market dealers. In places like Gahini and Karangazi a litre of petrol goes for Frw1500 and in Kabarore it costs Frw1200. This is partly because some of these areas lack pump stations where sellers largely use jerrycans to stock fuel in their homes or shops. One trader was over heard praying for the situation to remain constant, so as to reap from it. Residents say they have been forced to minimise movement due to high fares. We are forced to make as few movements as possible due to the increased transport fares. Using motorcycles is almost impossible because these people have more than doubled the charges, said a trader in Kabarore who buys produce from neighboring villages. Unlike traders, students reporting to school have been caught up in this situation, as it coincided with the beginning of the new school term. Some students from poor families have postponed their reporting days in the hope that fares will reduce. Even if the flow of fuel normalizes, it’s highly plausible that these people will stick to their charges unless concerned authorities intervene. Ends