(AFP Photo)
Governmental officials were able to resolve road blockage in three different governorates on Sunday.
Residents of the governorates of Qena, Aswan and Al-Sharqeya blocked railways and roads on Sunday morning in protest over the fuel shortage.
In Nag’ Hammadi, Qena, tens of taxi drivers and farmers blocked the railway from 7 am on Sunday, said Ahmed Fathy, the Popular Current representative in Nag’ Hammadi. Fathy stated that the fuel shortage not only stalls traffic, but also affects farming as most agricultural machinery depends on diesel fuel.
Governmental officials negotiated with the protesters and by noon had convinced them to resolve the blockage, Fathy said. The officials promised to resolve the fuel crisis shortly.
“The only way to resolve the fuel crisis in Nag’ Hammadi is to borrow fuel from neighbouring areas,” said Fathy, adding that such a solution would lead to a fuel crisis elsewhere. Fathy stated that this is not the first time protests have occured over fuel shortages. “Usually, the fuel crisis is resolved, but only for a couple of days,” Fathy said.
He added that such events reflect the blundering nature of “Morsi’s cabinet”.
Groups in Zagazig, Al-Sharqeya, also blocked the railroad for some hours. Yasser Al-Refa’ei, a Revolutionary Youth Coalition representative in Al-Sharqeya, said the groups resolved the blockage after negotiations with governmental officials.
“The officials promised to send two fuel carts,” Al-Refa’ei said. He added that the fuel would be sent from a neighbouring area.
In Aswan, drivers blocked Al-Sadat road after they were unable to fill their fuel tanks, reported state-owned Al-Ahram. Security officials were able to clear the blockage an hour later.
Egypt has suffered from diesel shortages over the last two years, and the government has recently announced fuel price hikes for some industrial factories.
Additional reporting by Lamia Nabil
