In August, the Varreux and Thor terminals received 421,713 barrels of diesel, gasoline and kerosene, 63 percent of the usual volume.
However, gas stations currently receive only 15 to 20 percent of the fuel, David Tournament, president of the National Association of Petroleum Products, confirmed to Le Nouvelliste newspaper.
“If 63 percent of the volume were delivered, the crisis shouldn’t be that bad,” he admitted, pointing to the need for oil companies to work with the state to ensure shipments get safely to gas stations.
While most petrol stations in the capital remain closed and the few selling hydrocarbons face long lines, the informal market, where fuels can reach three times their official cost, continues to grow.
The resale of fuel triggered the prices of basic products, collective transport or electricity generation.
This increase in the cost of living is among the demands of thousands of people who have taken to the streets since last week to denounce the country’s crisis and call for the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
The day before, motorcyclists demonstrated in Saint Marc, northwest of the capital, to demand that petrol stations sell fuel at the official price.
Similar moves took place in Jacmel, Jeremie and Port-au-Prince last week as a gallon of gasoline can quadruple in value in the informal market.
For unionists like Mehu Changeux, coordinator of the Owners and Drivers Association, the private sector is to blame for the recent shortages, with the aim of raising official prices.
They also criticized that the situation worsened a year ago when businessmen took control of fuel importation, distribution and sale.
ro/ane