Makamba : the fuel shortage paralyzes transport

For two weeks, transport in Makamba province, in southern Burundi, has been almost paralyzed by a serious fuel shortage. The few vehicles still in circulation display prohibitive prices, complicating travel. Faced with a crisis that continues despite promises of authorities, the population demands concrete solutions. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

In the main localities of the province, notably Makamba, Kayogoro, Mabanda and Nyanza-Lac, the impact of this crisis is visible in bus stations.

“There are almost no vehicles left in transport agencies. When we go there, they are sometimes closed or have only one employee providing a minimum service. We are told that there is no fuel”, testify several sources contacted by SOS Médias Burundi.

According to local administration sources, fuel is distributed in the province only once every two weeks. But delivered quantities are largely insufficient compared to the demand.

“We receive barely 5,000 liters, a paltry amount compared to the needs. In just three days, everything is used up,” explains the manager of a travel agency among the few still supplied.

Faced with this situation, his agency can only put one bus into circulation per day, making a round trip between Makamba and Bujumbura, the commercial capital.

The ban on supplies in Tanzania

At the beginning of the crisis, many vehicle owners had turned to Tanzania to refuel. But this alternative was quickly banned, and the police are now tracking down those who try to circumvent this restriction.

“Those who are arrested are accused of illegal fuel trafficking and imprisoned. Some have even been transferred to Bujumbura, detained in dungeons of the Intelligence Service. We do not know in what conditions they are incarcerated,” our sources report.

A surge in transport prices

Faced with the scarcity of fuel, some transporters are turning to the black market. But prices are exploding : “We buy a liter of fuel for 12,000 Burundi francs, which pushes the price of the Makamba-Bujumbura ticket up to 40,000 francs. However, we are taking a big risk, because the police ensure compliance with the official price set at 23,000 francs,” confides a minibus driver.

Penalties are severe for those who do not respect regulated prices. According to our sources, drivers caught in violation face fines ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 Burundi francs.

Travelers forced to postpone their trips

This transport crisis is having a serious impact on passengers. Many are forced to postpone their trips, while others, particularly those who urgently need to travel to Bujumbura, are forced to make multiple stopovers, which triples the cost of the trip compared to the official fare.

In this context, law enforcement has stepped up checks at border posts. In recent days, the Police General Inspectorate have intercepted several traffickers trying to transport fuel from Tanzania.

A crisis that is getting worse

Burundi is going through a major economic crisis. For the past four years, the fuel shortage has made the situation even worse. However, the Head of State had promised better management of this strategic sector. For now, the population is still waiting for concrete results.