Madagascar: HURRICANE DAMAGE – Sambirano facing fuel delivery shortages.

It was to be expected, the disruption of traffic on National Road 6 (RN6) after the passage of cyclone Gamane caused fuel supply problems in the region.

With several road closures and the destruction of two bridges in Ambilobe and Ifasy, the Ambanja district has been affected. The town of Sambirano ran out of deliveries for a few days, even a week. Since then, the tankers supplying this district with fuel still come from the port of Iharana (Vohémar), following the closure of the Antsahampano depot.

After the stocks were depleted, the five service stations operating in the region have struggled to ensure refueling. Officials have tried to find other ways to continue the supply. They opted for shipping by sea, via the port of Ankify and also the port of Antsahampano. However, according to the explanations, the sea level is also a problem, as it prevents the boat from docking.

As a result, the supply remains very difficult and slow. According to the testimony of Saïd Tombo, a taxi driver reached by phone, the service stations were dry for two days. As soon as a tanker arrives, cars, taxis-bajaj, and motorcycles flock every day, while officials have not started filling the tanks. Distribution takes only two hours at most.

Impacts

“If the station is still deserted at the beginning of a day, it will not last. As soon as a tanker filled with fuel approaches a service station, a queue forms. It is eagerly awaited at all dry service stations. Motorists are already flocking,” he said.

On the other hand, a pump attendant at the Jovena station explained that supply remains very difficult, given the flow of consumers wanting to protect themselves against a possible scarcity and individuals who buy it to resell it on the informal market at very high prices.

As an impact, most markets have operated at a slow pace due to this situation and also due to insecurity that affects the cost of public transportation and the flow of goods, as local food products have become more expensive. At the other end of the chain, farmers are also worried. If diesel continues to be delivered gradually, some, especially in the southern part of Sambirano, will not be able to harvest and especially use their agricultural tractors. In any case, the difficulties in fuel supply raise fears of a shortage.

Raheriniaina