Madagascar: Fuel transporters arrested

Tanker truck drivers have stopped supplying gas stations. They demand the release of their colleagues arrested in Toamasina for fuel theft.

Only Jirama will be refueled. The supply of gas stations in Toamasina and Antananarivo stops. This decision was made on Tuesday by tanker truck drivers, supported by the Syndicate of Professional Drivers of Madagascar (SCPM), chaired by Joelson Gabriel Rakotoarisoa.

The problem is that their colleagues were arrested at a refinery in Toamasina the day before during a fuel loading. They were allegedly attacked by police officers. In total, eleven individuals were arrested. They are suspected of fuel theft. They include drivers, assistants, security guards, employees of Petroleum Logistics and Galana. An unannounced inspection was carried out and they were caught in the act, according to Commissioner Jean Christian Rakotovao, regional director of public security in Toamasina, reached by phone.

They met with representatives of Galana, Petroleum Logistics, and the police. They demanded the immediate release of their colleagues. They were not successful. They then gave the police and the responsible parties of the same companies seventy-two hours, starting yesterday, to release their “brothers.” In the meantime, they have stopped working.

Preventive detention

“During loading, the fuel poured into the tanks exceeded the quantity. Previously, when faced with a similar situation, we used a procedure called ‘hollow,’ which means we immediately removed the excess. But now, we simply note it. Consequently, the authorities check it once in Antananarivo. None of these procedures were followed this time, and the police were called in to arrest them directly,” said Joelson Gabriel Rakotoarisoa.

According to Commissioner Jean Christian Rakotovao, this is purely a case of fuel theft and nothing else. “Galana (owner of the refinery from which fuel distribution nationwide begins) discovered this theft. They lodged a complaint with the Antananarivo public prosecutor’s office. The investigation was entrusted to the central police station of Avaradrano. Earlier this month, fourteen suspects were apprehended in Toamasina and taken to Antananarivo. They were all placed in preventive detention at Antanimora,” he recalled.

The prosecutor realized that other individuals should still be investigated in this case. A judicial delegation was then sent to the same police station.

“Police officers came to carry out their mission in Toamasina on Monday. They met with representatives of Galana and Petroleum Logistics, technicians, and truck drivers. Together, they conducted an unexpected visit to the refinery. There, four tanker trucks were caught with an excess amount of fuel. This is the origin of this truck drivers’ strike. They are therefore accomplices to the offense committed by their colleagues,” added Commissioner Jean Christian Rakotovao.

Hajatiana Léonard