Fuel shortage has hit The Gambia forcing dozens of vehicles off the roads as both commercial and private drivers called on the authorities to address the situation.

Omar Bayo, chef de garage of Brikama, said the situation is worrying because most of the drivers feed their families out of transporting people. 

“I was made to know that there is a shortage of fuel at around 11 am when I went to the petrol station and was worrying,” he said.

“From Costa Road to Brikama there is no fuel and drivers have no other choice but to sit without doing anything,” he added.

According to him, if the situation continues it will cause transportation handicap because no vehicle will be available for transporting people.

He continued: “In the past months, there was enough fuel. We didn’t expect fuel to be scarce at this moment. To our own knowledge they either want to increase the price of fuel or there is something hidden but we don’t agree with that.”

Demba Sallah, a driver, also linked the situation to fuel hike in the country, adding “because you cannot just wake up and said there is a shortage of fuel.

“We the drivers are facing difficulties in terms of driving. All the passengers are standing due to the scarcity of fuel. Not all can afford to pay the same price. 

“If there is fuel scarcity, how can we drive because we depend on fuel; we cannot drive without the fuel. This problem started on Friday night. If you ask any petrol station the same thing they complained.”

Another driver, Ousman Manneh, said: “everyone is complaining about the same issue passengers are standing due to vehicle problem and it has become a serious issue as at now.

“The fare price is the fault of the government because we don’t have regular garage. 

“If they want to increase fuel price it is our right to also increase the fair. Basically, I urge the government to create more feeder roads for the betterment of the whole country.”

“Lack of good road is also another factor that has worsen the situation. I call upon the government to act instantly on the fuel issue everybody is facing the same problem,” he added. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba