By Eric Haurupma (UPNG Journalism Student) – EM TV, Port Moresby
At the helm of the fuel crisis in Port Moresby, informal fuel distributors in the city are earning fast income through the sales of fuel in containers.
Motorists operating within the city have experienced shortage of fuel, following the road-block by Motu-Koitabuans after the recent shooting of Hanuabada men by police.
Tankers transporting fuel from the Motupore Oil Refinery to refill service stations in NCD are impassible due to the road-block since last Sunday.
The shortage of fuel supplies in the city is creating an opportunity for people engaged in the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector to venture into business.
While more vehicles are expecting tankers to arrive and refill the service stations, vendors are providing alternate fuel for these vehicles.
Meanwhile, they are selling fuels in containers along the roadside near service stations in Port Moresby.
Vendors said as the demand for fuel supply is high they are making good money out of it.
Vendors along the Five Mile service station area said they catch taxis to Erima to refill fuel in 20 litre containers.
From these 20 litre containers, they refill into two and five litre containers. Two litre containers are selling at K20 each, while a five litre is vending at K50 kina.
Despite the high fuel price, PMVs travelling in and out of Port Moresby are not reluctant to buy fuel from these vendors.
However, some vehicle operators said this fuel crisis is affecting their normal business operations.
A vehicle owner, Gima Kini says they have been facing fuel problem since Monday.
Duty Manager of Five Mile service station, Peter Wongio said the two fuel reserve tanks there are empty. At the moment they are waiting for the tankers to arrive and refill the two reserve tanks.
Mr. Wongio said the company will resume operations until the tankers arrive.
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