26 July 2015
Muscat: Fuel stations in areas such as Buraimi and Madha, which share a border with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are likely to face a rush of vehicles from across the border following a decision of that country to deregulate fuel prices from August 1, according to fuel station owners and residents.
In a recent decision the UAE's Ministry of Energy decided to link gasoline and diesel prices to global oil markets making it the first country in the Gulf to remove fuel subsidies.
Speaking to the Times of Oman, Rashid Al Shamsi, a Majlis Al Shura member representing Buraimi wilayat, said that while he expects a rush from across the border once the fuel price in the UAE increases, he is certain there will not be a shortage.
"I am sure the number of vehicles will rise, but I think the quantity of fuel received by petrol stations in Buraimi and others will meet the daily needs of consumers," said Al Shamsi.
He added that the rush will be witnessed only on some days.
"It is during weekends that we will witness a bigger rush as many of Omanis living in the UAE and Emiratis head to Buraimi on Friday and Saturday," said Al Shamsi.
Salim Al Mizahmi, owner of a fuel station in Buraimi said that there is surely going to be a rush but it will not be unmanageable.
"The fuel consumed last year is less than the year before which means that there are fewer consumers. Many petrol station owners here decided to decrease the quantity of fuel we would receive from the last year," said Al Mizahmi.
He will monitor the market and then decide if more fuel is required for his fuel station, he added.
Some residents in Buraimi and other areas close to the border expressed their unhappiness over the rush experienced at fuel stations during peak days.
"Because of the slight price difference that exists there is already a rush on weekends. Can you imagine what it will be like once the price is deregulated?" asked a resident.
According to Al Mizahmi, "I had a meeting the last time with the Wali of Buraimi and other concerned authorities and addressed the issue. Some suggested that residents of the areas should have fuel cards. They also suggested that there should be a limit on the fuel for cars with non-Omani licence plates. However, these suggestions were rejected."
Muscat: Fuel stations in areas such as Buraimi and Madha, which share a border with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are likely to face a rush of vehicles from across the border following a decision of that country to deregulate fuel prices from August 1, according to fuel station owners and residents.
In a recent decision the UAE's Ministry of Energy decided to link gasoline and diesel prices to global oil markets making it the first country in the Gulf to remove fuel subsidies.
Speaking to the Times of Oman, Rashid Al Shamsi, a Majlis Al Shura member representing Buraimi wilayat, said that while he expects a rush from across the border once the fuel price in the UAE increases, he is certain there will not be a shortage.
"I am sure the number of vehicles will rise, but I think the quantity of fuel received by petrol stations in Buraimi and others will meet the daily needs of consumers," said Al Shamsi.
He added that the rush will be witnessed only on some days.
"It is during weekends that we will witness a bigger rush as many of Omanis living in the UAE and Emiratis head to Buraimi on Friday and Saturday," said Al Shamsi.
Salim Al Mizahmi, owner of a fuel station in Buraimi said that there is surely going to be a rush but it will not be unmanageable.
"The fuel consumed last year is less than the year before which means that there are fewer consumers. Many petrol station owners here decided to decrease the quantity of fuel we would receive from the last year," said Al Mizahmi.
He will monitor the market and then decide if more fuel is required for his fuel station, he added.
Some residents in Buraimi and other areas close to the border expressed their unhappiness over the rush experienced at fuel stations during peak days.
"Because of the slight price difference that exists there is already a rush on weekends. Can you imagine what it will be like once the price is deregulated?" asked a resident.
According to Al Mizahmi, "I had a meeting the last time with the Wali of Buraimi and other concerned authorities and addressed the issue. Some suggested that residents of the areas should have fuel cards. They also suggested that there should be a limit on the fuel for cars with non-Omani licence plates. However, these suggestions were rejected."
© Times of Oman 2015
