Fuel drought scares Jambi

JAMBI, Jambi: Diesel fuel supplies at gas stations and kerosene reserves at local stores in some regencies of the province here are running out due to a delay in distribution, Antara reported.

Julinus, who works at Sengeti gas station in Muara Jambi regency, said state oil and gas company Pertamina could only provide 20,000 liters of diesel fuel of the 40,000 liters needed a day.

"We sometimes have to close the fuel pumps because the supplier either came late or not at all," he said on Saturday.

As for kerosene, retailers have increased the price from Rp 1,000 to Rp 1,500 per liter to cover the delivery expense.

"It costs us Rp 500 to Rp 600 per liter to bring it from Jambi to here," Nursinah, a seller in Kampung Baru, Batanghari regency, argued.

The head of the Pertamina distribution unit (UPPDN) here, Yana Mulyana, could not be reached for comment. (09)