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UPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: A reported fuel shortage in North Central Timor and Belu last week prompted hundred-meter long lines of motorcycles and cars at several gas stations in the regencies on Tuesday.

Two gas stations in North Central Timor and four stations in Belu opened only for three hours a day due to limited gasoline supplies.

“Normally, gas stations open from 7 to 9 p.m. With the shortage, the four gas stations are open only from 9 to 11 a.m.,” Atambua resident Dominggus Bria said.

The shortage prompted some street vendors to hike their gasoline prices from Rp 4,500 (50 US cents) up to Rp 15,000 per liter.

Kefamenanu Gas station operator Finsen Taneka said the crisis had been triggered by a cut in gasoline supplies from 45 to 25 tons.

“I heard they have had to reduce the supply because of the late arrival of a fuel tanker in Kupang,” he said. — JP