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Fuel crisis hits Manado
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 10/05/2007 8:19 AM
MANADO, North Sulawesi: A fuel shortage has hit several North Sulawesi cities, causing long queues at fuel stations and congested traffic in Manado over the past three days.
""I haven't been able to get much sleep over the last few days because I've been queuing at the gas station waiting for fuel to arrive,"" said taxi driver Onal Kapunsik, who has been unable to run his business for three days.
The scarcity has also forced many residents and students to walk rather than talking public transportation.
Public transport driver Enda Kapunsi, who serves the Manado-Tondano route, said he was only able to get 20 liters fuel after waiting for two days.
""I could not purchase any more than 20 liters of fuel as it was limited,"" he said.
Roadside vendors were selling fuel for up to 10,000 per liter, up from the usual 4,500 per liter.
State oil company Pertamina's spokesman in Manado, Femmy EK Sundah, said only premium fuel was in low supply, but the problem had been solved with the arrival of a ship carrying new supplies. -- JP
