Authorities found several gas stations in six governorates selling petroleum products at prices higher than normal during a one-day campaign to catch such violations, Minister of Social Solidarity and Domestic Trade Gouda Abdel Khaleq said.
The violations were detected in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Qalyubiya, Damietta and Luxor, said the minister, adding that several gas stations were operating without licenses and that authorities also seized a significant amount of petroleum products that were destined for the black market.
Approximately 115,000 liters of diesel had been smuggled out of a gas station in the township of Toukh, Qalyubia, he said.
Some stations reportedly refused to sell diesel to citizens even though they had plenty of fuel.
Abdel Khaleq emphasized the need to intensify monitoring on markets and to impose harsher penalties on smugglers and gas stations operating illegally.
A recent 40 percent nationwide shortage of fuel was projected to cost Egypt LE30 million in losses.
Recurrent fuel shortages have led to overcrowding and fighting at gas stations. They also disrupt transportation as well as many other businesses and industries.
The shortage is often blamed on haphazard supply and illegal sale of the fuel on black markets.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
