Fuel Shortage Hits Central African Republic's Béloko and Cantonnier

The towns of Béloko and Cantonnier in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture of the Central African Republic have recently been affected by a fuel shortage. The price of gasoline has increased from 1,000 to 1,300 CFA francs per liter. This situation is disrupting public transportation and slowing down economic activities. The absence of service stations in these areas is forcing users to obtain fuel from vendors installed along the roads.

The city of Garoua-Boulaï, a Cameroonian town and the primary source of fuel supply for the Central African Republic in this border region, is also experiencing a scarcity of fuel. This shortage is particularly affecting motorcycle taxi drivers and their clients. Francis Sanda, president of the Béloko-Cantonnier motorcycle taxi union, expressed his concerns about the situation. He mentioned that the lack of fuel is causing difficulties for the drivers and their passengers.

According to Francis Sanda, there are no service stations in Cantonnier, and the Cameroonian vendors are helping them with fuel supplies up to Abba. However, there has been no fuel available for the past two days, and the price increase is affecting the children who are struggling to access fuel at 1,300 CFA francs per liter. The fuel vendors in Béloko and Cantonnier are also citing difficulties in obtaining fuel from the Cameroonian side.

Vicke Melchisédech, a fuel vendor in Cantonnier, justified the price increase by stating that the Cameroonian suppliers have raised their prices, forcing them to do the same. The fuel shortage and price increase are not only affecting transportation but also the purchasing power of households. The prices of food and other essential products are also rising.

The situation is having a significant impact on the residents of Béloko and Cantonnier. Pauline Yassanga, a resident of Béloko, stated that everything is currently expensive in the market, and even the transportation costs that were previously affordable are now much higher. She mentioned that a trip from Béloko to Cantonnier used to cost 1,000 CFA francs, but now it costs 2,000 CFA francs.

The fuel supply to Béloko and Cantonnier largely depends on the neighboring Cameroonian market. In Garoua-Boulaï, the price of gasoline is 874 CFA francs per liter. However, the scarcity of fuel in this border town is further complicating the fuel supply to the Central African Republic.

The lack of service stations in Béloko and Cantonnier has left the residents exposed to fluctuations in prices practiced by the vendors. The fuel shortage and price increase are expected to continue to affect the daily lives of the residents until a solution is found to address the supply issues.

Key points

• Fuel shortage and price increase affect transportation and economy in Béloko and Cantonnier.
• Residents of Béloko and Cantonnier face difficulties in accessing fuel due to scarcity and high prices.
• The fuel supply to Béloko and Cantonnier depends largely on the neighboring Cameroonian market.