By Tupou Vaipulu Jr
A petroleum shortage in Tongatapu yesterday, caused a rush on bowsers, many of which are now awaiting resupply - not expected until the end of the month. It was the fourth rush on bowsers in the last two months.
Pacific Energy’s Country Manager, Paula Taufa told Matangi Tonga that the next shipment is delayed until later in the month due to technical problems with their tanker.
“There isn’t a specific date for the next shipment yet because we’re still trying to fix the problem with our ship,” he said. “When the problem is resolved then we would have a fixed date.”
However, two major gas stations in Tonga, fueled by Pacific Energy, told Matangi Tonga that they were informed of the next shipment date.
Maikolo from Konifelenisi gas station and Lita from Sonasi gas station, said that they were informed by Pacific Energy that the next shipment of petroleum would be on 25-26 November.
It was also confirmed by these gas stations that only petroleum (penisini) is at a deficit and that diesel (tīsolo) was still in stock.
Maikolo said that Konifelenisi gas station had enough petroleum in stock to last until the end of this week. However, they are trying to give everybody an opportunity to refill their vehicles. “We closed early today to save some petrol for tomorrow, to give other people who really need it, a chance to fill up their cars.”
Shortage
This is the fourth petroleum shortage on Tongatapu in the last two months to cause panic buying and rushing on bowsers.
In October many customers excessively purchased petroleum causing a fuel shortage. The previous shortage also led to heavy traffic around the CBD in Nuku'alofa and multiple outbursts and verbal arguements between customers.
Today anxious customers were seen filling up multiple empty 20-litre plastic cooking oil bottles and even 20-litre plastic buckets at a time.
One customer said, "My car is already full but I'm filling up my buckets as back-up incase we run out of petrol again."
This morning, hundreds of vehicles lined up at gas stations around Tongatapu, some waiting for hours to get a refill.
Maikolo said that vehicles were already parked at their gas station in the morning, well ahead of their opening time at 7:00 AM.
