The shortage of butane gas cylinders is continuing in governorates throughout Egypt, pushing the price of a cylinder up to as much as LE20. Police were dispatched to butane distribution outlets in order to prevent clashes among people trying to obtain gas.
In the Delta city of Abu Hammad, people claimed the city factory fills the cylinders with less than 31kg of gas, the amount stipulated by the Supply Ministry. The factory manager denied the allegation and attributed the crisis to the usual high demand for cylinders during the winter.
In Gharbiya, people said the Supply Ministry was behind the shortage because it allows owners of private businesses to buy the subsidized cylinders that are intended for sale to individuals.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
