Continuous arrangements are being made to deliver fuel supplies to the southern regions through the Misrata Oil Depot, Ahmed Al-Masalati, the Director of the Information Office and Spokesperson for Brega Oil Marketing Company confirmed.
Speaking exclusively to Libya Herald, he said the daily allocated quantities for the distribution companies that own the petrol stations range from 1.1 to 1.2 million litres. Details of deliveries to distribution companies in the south are published daily on Brega’s official page, he added.
Shortages, smuggling and black-market prices
Brega was reacting to public criticism that once again fuel and cooking gas supplies to the south are failing, leading to shortages and the resultant black-market prices – which can be in the multiple of hundreds.
The government blames these shortages not on supply failures by its entities or a neglect by the north of the south, as some in the south wish to frame it, but by fuel smuggling in the south by southerners themselves.
Distribution going well in coastal areas
Al-Masalati added that the operations of distributing fuel and cooking gas are proceeding well in all areas from Tobruk in the east to Zawia in the west, and that the supply operations from vessels transporting liquid fuel continue without stopping. He explained that Brega spares no effort to maintain the stability of distribution supplies of fuel and cooking gas.
Direct and instant cooking gas cylinder filling points
He referred to Tripoli’s Airport Road Fuel Depot instant filling point for cooking gas cylinders where citizens queue up with their empty cylinders and have them filled instantly at the official price. This avoids black-market prices by intermediaries.
Direct and instant cooking gas cylinder filling points for municipalities
Al-Masalati said Brega also targeted several municipalities and installed several instant filling systems, while continuing to announce through the official page of the company about direct sales points for citizens at the official price.
Brega’s role is limited to distributing to petrol companies and gas depots
Attempting to absolve Brega from black-market prices, Al-Masalati said the role of Brega is limited to receiving quantities of fuel after supplying it from the National Oil Corporation and distributing allocations to distribution companies, including to fuel stations without interruption. He stressed that the country has witnessed an improvement in the availability of fuel without interruption.
He insisted that hindrances to the distribution and supply of fuel is a result of ‘‘factors outside the control of Brega’’, which he said in most cases come to a quick end.