For nearly a week, the city of Boké has been facing a persistent fuel shortage, causing frustration and concern among residents. Endless queues, rising transport fares, and the closure of several gas stations are severely disrupting the daily lives of citizens.

Only one operational station

Of the city's eight gas stations, only one is currently in operation, and service is limited to a short period each day. Long lines form from the early hours of the morning, with no guarantee of being able to fill up.

Mamadou Alpha Bah, whom we met at a station after several hours of waiting, described his situation:

“I’ve been here since 6 a.m. and I still haven’t received any fuel. They serve the jerrycans first, then the vehicles and motorcycles. I’ve already sent two jerrycans without success. This situation is extremely tiring for us. Transportation is expensive and the state must provide us with enough fuel, because without it, we cannot move freely.”

Transport companies on the brink of collapse

The crisis is directly impacting the cost of urban transport. On the city's main thoroughfares, several motorcycle taxi drivers have been forced to raise their fares.

Alhassane Diallo, a motorcycle taxi driver, explains:

"The fuel situation is very difficult for us. The day before yesterday and yesterday, I bought a liter for 18,000 francs. How do you expect us to make ends meet? Even if the usual price for a trip is 5,000 francs, some customers only have 3,000 francs."

Residents of surrounding villages are also affected. Alpha Biaye, who came from the sub-prefecture of Dabiss, is making an urgent appeal to the authorities:

"I am asking the State to find a solution. Imagine the distance between Dabiss and Boké. Making that whole journey without being sure of getting fuel is very difficult."

Call for action from the authorities

Faced with this crisis, citizens are calling on the relevant authorities to act quickly to restore normal supply and provide relief to populations already suffering.

The situation in Boké illustrates the immediate impact that a lack of fuel can have on daily life, transport and the local economy.