IPNews-Monrovia: According to our reporter touring Monrovia and other parts of the country, says there are increased number of commercial drivers and street sellers cue at various Filling Station, mainly the Total Filling stations for gasoline.
IPNews discovered that regardless of government continued stands that there is enough gasoline in the country, a price for a gallon of gasoline is now LRD 800-900 in many street corners across Monrovia by street sellers.
This paper also observed that apart from the Total Filling stations which continues to sell a gallon of gasoline for LRD 650, other petroleum dealers including the SP, Aminata, JR Gas, among others are selling for LRD 700-800, in Monrovia and its surroundings .
In other commercial hub of Buchanna, Gbarnga and Ganta, there is visible increase in prices from previously sold for L$650, to L$1,600 in Gbarnga, LRD 1,200 in Buchanna and LRD 2,000 in Gnata city respectively.
Regardless this soaring price, and getting access to the product by motorists, there are also individuals and street sellers who are purchasing gasoline from the Total Filling Station, for L$650 per gallon and are selling it for L$1,600 or above, according to a commercial drive Boakia Kenneh.
The situation is having serious transportation effect on commuters and ordinary citizens, especially the working class in getting to work in time.
Some commercial drivers and motor cyclists who managed to reserve few gallons or liters are taking advantage of the situation to exploit ordinary citizens who are finding it extremely difficult to commute from one point to another.
Last night, transportation fare from central town to red-light increased from LRD 150-300; ELWA to central town 200;while central town to Dula for LRD 200 and central town to Gradnesville LRD 300.
In other parts of rural Liberia, transportation fare from Gbarnga to Cuttington University, which normally costs L$150 on both taxi cab and commercial motorbike, now costs L$500.
Investigation conducted by this paper on Monday January 27, 2020, established that a liter of gasoline previously sold L$170 is now sold for L$400, while half gallon is also sold for L$800.
The Total Filling Station in Gbarnga has closed its doors because of sidewalk vendors who bought gasoline from Total for L$650 per gallon and are selling it for L$1,600 or above.
It has also been observed that many who use generators at night at to light up their homes or businesses are in complete darkness since last weekend due to the unprecedented gasoline shortage.
It may be recalled, The Management of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), on January 21, 2020, inform the general public that there is sufficient quantity of fuel supply in the country to meet the domestic need.
An LPRC release that afternoon stated that this assurance comes in the wake of unsubstantiated information that there is shortage of petroleum products in the country. The LPRC Management is working along with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to avert any attempt by importers, distributors or retailers to hoard petroleum products in order to create artificial shortage and a hike in the prices.
The public is requested to report any importer, distributor or retailer selling petroleum products above the approved pump price of US$ 3.80 and US$ 3.21 for diesel and gasoline respectively or their Liberian dollars equivalent using the Central Bank of Liberia exchange rate. Any importer, distributor or retailer found hoarding or selling products above the stipulated price will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Again, LPRC is assuring the general public not to panic as there are adequate diesel and gasoline products in the country to meet the domestic needs.
Amidst all these challenging economy conditions, many citizens spoken to IPNews expressed disgust for the blind eye played by President George Manneh Weah, to the deteriorating economic condition of the country when he delivered his Annual Message to the joint Legislature on yesterday.
Many of whom are sellers in the Red-light market , told IPNews that their ears were glue to the radio to hear the something that would directly affect the high in prices of basic commodities which are important factors to the ordinary people.
Regrettable one of the seller, to IPNews that their hopes where dash after nearly two hours listening and not hearing about policy issues that would dramatically transform and improve the challenging economic conditions of Liberia.
