As Burundi is facing a prolonged fuel crisis for almost a year now, the Burundi authorities have now banned cars from parking at the fuel stations awaiting to be refilled.
“It is now prohibited for cars, motorcycles to queue for days at the fuel stations waiting until the fuel is pumped. The vehicles will only be allowed to queue when fuel is distributed otherwise anyone leaving his or her vehicle in queues will be penalized,” said the police spokesman Desire Nduwimana.
Mr. Nduwimana said that the measure was taken in order to protect road users from accidents and increase the smooth flow of the traffic in the city.
The government’s decision comes at a time when the country is experiencing its worst ever fuel shortage that has persisted since last year, resulting to many motorists abandoning their cars and motorcycles at nearby fuel stations for days awaiting to refill their cars.
Several operators started importing fuel in Burundi to decrease the high demand, however business operators say that the major cause of the fuel shortage in the country is due to the lack of foreign currency.
The country has since 2015 struggled with the shortage of foreign currency after the European Union including Belgium that contributed to almost 50 percent of the country’s budget halted funding the country’s annual budget.
“It is really challenging to be at work on time because of fuel shortage even public transport becomes a challenge and getting one you have to wait for hours,” said one of the tailors in Bujumbura town.
Recently, the government vowed to end the current fuel shortage and that sooner than later transportation will get back to normal as thousands of fuel gallons have been ordered via Tanzania.