W. Nusa Tenggara hit by fuel shortage

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 05/29/2006 1:32 PM

Long lines of vehicles at gas stations were causing traffic jams in West Nusa Tenggara in the past week, as the city was hit by a fuel shortage.

In the provincial capital, Mataram, the biggest gas station in Karang Jangkong cut back its hours. The station usually operates 24 hours a day. It began closing at 6 p.m., causing customers to start queuing as early as 5 a.m.

""Our supply has been cut by state oil and gas company PT Pertamina. The excuse is typical: late arrival of the ships carrying the fuel,"" said the gas station's operational manager, I Putu Satria Wibawa, on Saturday.

He said the gas station usually gets 25 kiloliters of fuel but in the past week, Pertamina has only provided 10 kiloliters.

""We've complained but it's a waste of energy,"" he said.

Similar sights were also seen at other gas stations. Some fuel sellers took the opportunity to raise their prices, selling premium at Rp 10,000 a liter.

""We raised the price because it's not easy for us to buy fuel. If you want to buy it, go ahead. If you don't want to, it's no problem,"" said Inaq Ros, a trader in the Cakranegara area.

Meanwhile, the acting head of Pertamina's Ampenan division, I Gede Agus, said there was a delay in getting fuel to the city. He denied the shortage was intentional.

However, he confessed the company is reducing its supply to gas stations. ""We're making the move as a control measure,"" he said. (JP/Panca Nugraha)

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