Bujumbura — In the wake of legal actions against the Interpetrol Company, a shortage of fuel is causing long queues of vehicles at gas pumps.

Oil stations that are supplied by Interpetrol have no fuel in stores while those which are supplied by Engen have no enough quantities.

Fuel shortage is noticed in Bujumbura as in the countryside. Transportation tickets have risen by 500 Francs to reach some provinces.

This shortage follows the decision taken by the general prosecutor, Elysée Ndaye, to stop all the trucks that belong to Interpetrol Company. Six trucks belonging to this company have already been stopped on the ground that Interpetrol owes 8 billion Burundi Francs to the government of Burundi.

These allegations are denied by Interpetrol. The former finance minister, Ms Denise Sinankwa was dismissed in connection with this case. The former governor of the central bank, Mr Isaac Bizimana is in prison with charges that are connected to the payment of the debt due to this campany which was dogged by many irregularities.

Interpetrol supplies more than fifty percent of fuel that is used in the capital city of Bujumbura.