Kerosene distribution watched<\/p>\n
Dyah Apsari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A recent survey by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) on excess
\ndemand for kerosene in Jakarta and reports on fuel hoarding have
\nput the city's kerosene distribution agents in the hot seat.<\/p>\n
The agents, grouped in the Jakarta branch of the Association
\nof National Oil and Gas Entrepreneurs (Hiswana Migas), rejected
\nallegations that they were responsible on kerosene shortages in
\nthe capital.<\/p>\n
\"We have created a new mechanism to monitor the distribution
\nof kerosene in Jakarta to make sure that there will be no
\nhoarding of fuel,\" said the association's spokesman, Sofyan Z.
\nZakaria, at a press conference over the weekend.<\/p>\n
The BPS survey, conducted between June and July, shows that
\nthe consumption of subsidized kerosene in the capital stands at
\nabout 83,000 liters per month.<\/p>\n
Last year, in order to prevent kerosene hoarding, the Jakarta
\nadministration issued a regulation stipulating that the kerosene
\nsupply should not exceed the capital's monthly demand of 60,000
\nliters.<\/p>\n
Sofyan argued that the regulation had yet to be enforced and
\nthat real kerosene consumption had reached 83,000 liters per
\nmonth due to the presence of at least 600,000 small businesses in
\nthe form of kiosks and street food stalls.<\/p>\n
\"The consumption of kerosene is of course higher than in other
\ncities, but this does not mean that there is kerosene hoarding
\nand smuggling going on,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sofyan explained that the association would take part in a
\nnew surveillance system set up by the city administration, and
\nwhich will be implemented in early 2006.<\/p>\n
Under the system, two supervisors will provide daily reports
\nvia text message to subdistrict officials.<\/p>\n
The subdistrict officials will then fax weekly reports to the
\nJakarta Economic Development Bureau and Hiswana Migas.<\/p>\n
The two institutions will then analyze the reports and forward
\nthem to the governor and Pertamina.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully this tight monitoring regime will stabilize the
\nkerosene distribution and supply situation in the capital.
\nHowever, the system doesn't extend down to the retailers, so
\nwe'll paint their carts different colors to prevent any of them
\nselling kerosene outside their own areas,\" added Sofyan.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kerosene-distribution-watched-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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