Transport system in Freetown has been brought to a sudden halt owing to diesel hoarding by fuel dealers operating in the country.
The alleged hoarding has worsened an already dangerous transport system in the city. Commuters, including businessmen, government workers, students and pupils are stranded at various bus stops and lorry parks in Freetown; the streets are virtually empty of vehicles. Kissy Road which is notorious for traffic congestion saw a fast traffic as vehicles are few. Since the hoarding is unexpected, clueless drivers have been ambushed. The few diesel vehicles on the streets are those whose drivers had foreseen the shortage and fuelled their vehicle tanks. A taxi driver plying Jui and Up-Gun confirmed the hoarding of diesel product. “Diesel is available at filling stations in Freetown, but it is being hoarded by dealers to make more profit,” he said.
The endangered transport system has compelled commuters pay more than double the normal transport. Those who could not afford the double price walk long distances. In normal times, drivers and vehicle owners have their own pranks they play on passengers, talk less of a crisis period. Last Station at Calaba Town is known for huge crowd of commuters in the rush-hour periods. It swells when an abnormal situation arises in the transport system. One of the commuters, a teacher, Osman Kamara told Nightwatch the diesel shortage was the first in the country. “Several times, I have heard about petrol shortage in the country. But, it is difficult to hear about diesel shortage. To me, this is the first time I have heard about diesel shortage. I suspect that the diesel is hoarded by dealers,” he said. Kamara also told this medium that he had been in the crowd, almost an hour, to convey him to his workplace, but said; vehicles were hard to come by. “Taxi drivers have not helped the situation considering the high fare they demand from passengers,” Kamara lamented.
Another commuter in the crown apparently is a business woman heading for Bombay Lorry Park with her luggage. She said she was in the crowd for over an hour waiting for Waterloo drivers to convey her to the said park. “Since drivers know that there is a big transport problem this morning, they would decide to stop at half way points instead of going to the right destinations,” she explained. “The behaviour of drivers continues to add to the weight of the existing problem,” She emphasized. Commercial motorists (okada riders) and tricycle riders (keke) too are ready to tap into what they see an “economic opportunity” for them. Commercial motorists demand Le15, 000 from commuters to convey them from Last station to Up-Gun and tricycle riders call for Le 10,000.
One of the marketers at SKM filling station at Calaba Town told this medium there was no diesel for sale. She also explained she was just taking job at the filling station that day. “This is the first time to come to the workplace. On my arrival, I was told by my authorities that there was no diesel for sale,” she explained.
During the recent petroleum crises, an official at the Petroleum Regulatory agency had told this medium that huge quantity of fuel was available in the country. “I foresee no fuel shortage throughout considering the huge quantity available,” he said. However, the PRA official did not disclose the exact quantity when contacted by this medium.