Niger restricts night-time petrol sales amid shortage
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Leadership
Amid a nationwide fuel shortage, Nigerien authorities are banning petrol sales from 9pm to 6am, except at designated stations, to facilitate restocking. Long queues are disrupting travel, and the Synctaxi taxi drivers’ union is calling for the measure to be eased, reports Leadership.
Niger has banned petrol sales between 9pm and 6am, except at designated stations, to facilitate restocking amid a nationwide shortage. The temporary measure is intended to ensure deliveries and fuel availability, according to the Nigerien authorities.
The restriction is disrupting taxi drivers’ work. Moussa Idé Boubacar says he has been unable to make his payments for two days: of his usual daily earnings of 20,000 CFA francs, 8,000 goes towards payments and 12,000 towards fuel. Motorists are also facing long queues, complicating daily travel in Niamey and other towns.
The Synctaxi taxi union is asking the authorities to ease the measure for transport operators. Its secretary-general, Ganda Sanda, wants stations to remain open around the clock and is calling on the governor’s office to review the restrictions. The sale of petrol in jerrycans outside stations is also banned in areas with at least one filling station.
These restrictions follow measures already announced on 19 October, including the night-time closure of service stations and a ban on sales in jerrycans.
