Deputy Government Spokesperson
Press Release Dated: 2nd March, 2023
Banjul, The Gambia — In the wake of numerous complaints from commuters and motorists over fuel supply, The Gambia Government wishes to clarify that the ship scheduled to deliver petrol by the 3rd March, 2023 is delayed due to extreme weather conditions at sea.
Upon verification of this unfortunate natural circumstance affecting the vessel, His Excellency President Adama Barrow immediately instructed the Petroleum and Finance Ministries to alternativelyreplenish the current low domestic stock through overland importation from neighbouring countries.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MOFEA) granted concessions to Oryx, Jah Oil and three other licensed importers to swiftly source petrol from Senegal. Jah Oil has particularly secured 1.5 million litres of petrol to be delivered within the next 24 hours.
Therefore, the limited sale of petrol by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) across various fuel stationsnationwide is a tentative measure of ensuring steady supply parallel to the overland delivery of additional gasoline.
Strategically, The Gambia Government has liberalized the petroleum sector and granted some 50 import licences to private investors while maintaining diligentregulatory oversight. It subsidises fuel and ensuresprice stability at the retail pumps in the country.
Signed
Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu
Deputy Government Spokesperson