Huge demand, border delays cripple gas supplies

GAS dealers have blamed congestion and delays in clearing of human and cargo traffic at the Beitbridge Border Post for the shortage of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) on market.

Desperate consumers have expressed concern at the shortage at a time when they are preparing for Christmas and New Year festivities.

In Bulawayo, some consumers said they have not been able to buy gas since last week.
“We do not have gas these days.

You can check in the next two days as our trucks are still at the border,” said an official at Value Gas Belmont branch.
Value Gas is one of the largest gas dealers in the city.

An official from another supplier, Ecogas said the company was also waiting for deliveries as its trucks are at the border.

“Gas is being transported by road and when there is delay in clearing cargo at the Beitbridge Border, it affects deliveries,” said the official.

The suppliers, however, said gas shortages during festive season were normal due to rise in demand.

“There is nothing new from what we are experiencing now, usually during the festive season and during winter season we experience an increase in demand which results in some shortages,” said the official.

A gas dealer Mr Ben Mubhondeni said the high demand for gas was as a result of power cuts which has seen many consumers using gas for cooking.

An official from Zuva Service Station said suppliers were failing to cope with increased demand.

“We have LP gas but the demand has just shot up and as such we are failing to cope,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) set LP gas price for December at US$2,14 and $225,92 per kg but many gas dealers sell in foreign currency only citing the exchange rate volatility. — The Chronicle