Government urged to curb domestic petrol storage

Although there are plenty of petrol stations in the capital of the Republic of Congo, a growing number of Brazzaville residents are selling fuel from stocks kept at home.

“This is an increasing problem and should be forcefully denounced because it frequently causes damage and human casualties,” said Dieudonné Moussala, the head of the Congolese Consumers’ Association (ACC).

“Do we have to wait until dozens of people are killed in a single accident to take preventive action?” he asked.

“The authorities should do something to prevent the worst,” he added.

Unsafely stored supplies of petrol, diesel, kerosene and bottled gas can be found all over the city, exposing those who live nearby to great risk. Unauthorised makeshift petrol stations are a common sight along main roads in many parts of the country.

Since the start of 2008, the ACC has recorded at least 10 accidents in Brazzaville involving domestic fuel stores. In some cases lives were lost.

In late August, more than 10 houses caught fire in the capital’s 16th arrondissement.

“It’s a question of life and death and must be resolved urgently,” said Quentin Banga, of the country’s human rights council, adding that the problem was caused in part by poverty and people’s need “to do whatever they can to live decently”. 

ai/am/mw