Drivers of commercial and private vehicles are being forced off the road as the country grapples with fuel shortage.

Passengers could be seen struggling for vehicles at some garages today (1 September) as the few commercial vehicles plying the routes raised their fares.

This is the second major fuel shortage hitting The Gambia under President Adama Barrow’s government in less than 24 months.

“The fuel pump dealers are just wicked. They want to increase fuel prices that is why they are refusing to sell. They dare not do this behaiviour during Yahya Jammeh government,” said a frustrated driver who has been queuing at GNPC station in Pipeline.  

Meanwhile, a commercial van driver plying Bundung Borehole to Serekunda charged passengers 15 dalasis from 10 dalasis after one of his colleagues told him to increase fares.

A source told Gambiana that the fuel dealers are in meeting with the government amid their plan to increase fuel prices.

The crisis comes weeks after The Gambia Transport Union called for an increase in local transport fares over the high cost of fuel. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba