Drivers amazed at sudden fuel price increase

Gas station managers have been rubbing their hands since yesterday’s fuel price increase while motorists have been expressing their surprise of the new price announced.

"Since when?" Asks a bewildered woman behind the wheel. "You did not follow the news yesterday?" replies the attendant. Grudgingly, the driver pays for her fuel, grumbling about the "quirks of the country."

After her, another driver appeared shocked at the great figures at the Total in Carrefour Elig-Essono, pouted, growls and finally let’s go. “We will strike,” he says. The attendant says that it has been the same routine since the early hours of the morning. Drivers are all surprised, but for the vast majority, there is no backlash.

The pump assistant at Socaepe, in Central Station, noticed that there was no real resistance from consumers. "They are surprised, but I think they agree.

Many also take a humorous approach." Then a public safety officer approaches and immediately cries “I hope you have not increased.” A glance at the pump was enough for him to notice that this is not the case. "We will return to the village," he finally said before getting into his car Discontent.

At most pump service stations in Yaoundé, the new prices have been displayed since midnight even though they are not yet on the totems. The managers of these small points of distribution of hydrocarbons say almost in unison they have nothing to do with the increase decided by the government.

"We only apply the new policy on the matter,” insists Godefroy Total Mvan station. They were varied reactions from drivers commercial and private. One of the attendants was asked if he noted a different reaction from taxi drivers in particular. "They complain, but many do not yet speak of a strike. But I think they are thinking it,"he says.

Some stations which had not yet implemented the new rates by noon, pending instructions from the management that others were against, very soon changed their pricing. Hence the bitter remark of a client before the pump. "Traders are all the same! When to lower prices, they drag their feet and you argue that it is still the old stock. But when it comes to an increase, they do it very quickly.”

Agencies envisage the rate increase in the loading points of long distance transport, but the presidents of associations of carriers do not hide that they receive pressure from their members.

For Mounchipou Max Issa, vice president of the Association of Drivers and Loaders, a rise in the price of transport on the Yaoundé-Soa axis is not avoidable.

He revealed a meeting was scheduled in office yesterday, at 4:30pm, and would focus on "issues related to the increase in fuel prices." For Mounchipou Issa, it is important for the association that any increase in the price of the ticket is done in consultation. "We do not want to be blacklisted if problems occurred," he says. "The findings of this consultation will trans misses earlier than the Department of Transportation."

He concludes that members of transport unions had already approached to give their ideas of what should be said to authorities. Several agency heads say it is too early to make any decisions whatsoever, with rising fuel only being effective for less than 24 hours.

"The management is in Douala, this is where the decisions are made. We have not received any instruction," says Thomas, of Princess Travel Agency. "However, a lack of solidarity among carriers, which makes any single claim very uncertain. We expect the private sector is resigned."

The head of the personnel department of the Agency "Buca Travel" said he is under no illusions about a future increase in the price of intercity transport.

"There will be no price increase automatically, but it goes without saying that this increase will take place." At the time of a future, the manager says he does not know much. "The board will meet soon and he will decide what will increase." For now, it is the vigil in associations and transport unions.