North Kolaka Regency limits purchases of 3kg LPG to prevent shortages
Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The North Kolaka Regency Government (Pemkab), Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra), has officially implemented restrictions on the purchase of subsidised 3-kilogram LPG cylinders to prevent shortages and ensure targeted distribution to the community level.
Acting Head of the North Kolaka Trade Office, Abu Bakri, when contacted in Kendari, Sultra, on Friday, emphasised that this step was taken following a surge in demand and findings of misallocated distribution in the field.
“We are enforcing strict rules. Currently, one person may only purchase one cylinder, while UMKM actors are given a maximum limit of two cylinders,” he said.
He mentioned that the tightened supervision was carried out after discovering parties purchasing LPG in large quantities, even up to 10 cylinders at a time.
“Including by unscrupulous restaurants and large-scale business actors,” he stated.
Abu Bakri revealed that in addition to quota restrictions, his office is requiring every distribution point to report the schedule of unloading LPG stock to the local government, maintaining transparency in distribution to prevent unscrupulous individuals from queuing repeatedly, and to prevent illegal distribution out of the area that could trigger local stock shortages.
“If there is a distribution point that does not report and continues to distribute outside the provisions, that is a serious violation and we will impose strict sanctions,” he said.
He hopes that with this integrated supervision, the distribution of 3kg LPG in North Kolaka can return to normal and be evenly distributed to entitled community members.
In its implementation, the Trade Office is collaborating with the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) to conduct direct supervision at several distribution points, such as in Ponggiha and Tojabi.
Head of the North Kolaka Satpol PP, Ihwan, expressed readiness of his personnel to assist in managing queues at distribution points.
“We are ready to provide full backup, including placing personnel if necessary to ensure distribution runs orderly and safely,” he explained.