AA urged to handle unregulated fuel sales in Arakan State

By Admin 25 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
25 October 2024, Sittwe

Residents say there are unregulated sales of fuel in the townships of Arakan State and that the danger of fire has become a concern, with locals calling on the relevant authorities to enforce more effective regulation.

Residents are worried about the danger of fire as there are roadside petrol stalls located near houses, neighbourhoods, main roads and crowded places.

"There are many roadside petrol stalls in urban areas, so there is a danger of fire. The junta air attacks and artillery strikes may cause more damage due to roadside petrol stalls," said a local woman in Myebon.

Since the latest fighting broke out in November of last year, the Arakkha Army (AA) has seized 10 towns in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.

Clashes between the military and AA are reported in Maungdaw, Ann and Gwa townships, and tensions between the two sides are running high in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Taungup and Manaung townships.

In some AA-controlled townships, roadside petrol stalls have been banned in urban areas since last July.

Some of the fuel sellers keep a lot of fuel in their homes without complying with the rules and continue to sell it, said a local man in Kyauktaw.

"The AA has warned locals not to sell fuel in urban areas. Some people continue to sell fuel out of their homes," the local man added.

According to the Petroleum Products Business License (Village Gasoline Shop), a filling station must have a minimum floor area of 2,000 square feet and a minimum frontage of 40 feet.

The law stipulates that the boundary of a filling station area must be fenced off using non-flammable materials and the front of the shop must be left open.

Residents are demanding that the relevant authorities deal more effectively with illegal fuel sales.

"I would like to ask the authorities to site petrol stations in areas away from residential areas and not in urban areas at all. Now, in some cities, patrol stations are designated, but I see that it would be convenient if they were stringently enforced," said a resident of Mrauk-U.

Fuel prices have been rising due to junta blockades instituted following the outbreak of the latest fighting in Arakan State, and current prices are K13,000 for 92 Ron Octane and K9,500 for diesel.