How and why is oil-rich Iraq facing petrol crisis?
07/07/2007| IslamWeb
One would think that it’s impossible for a country like Iraq to face any problem with petrol; however, things rarely stick to the normal path. Even though many have accused and still are accusing the U.S. and the UK of seeking Iraq’s oil riches, the war-torn country is now facing difficulty in meeting its own needs.
With the dramatic situation that Iraq, especially Baghdad, is currently suffering from, the government has nothing to do but blame the lack of fuel on the growing violence that the country has been witnessing; especially the latest attacks that targeted major road bridges.
Iraqi officials say such bombings resulted in the increase of the number of checkpoints, which do not allow all fuel trucks through. According to a BBC editorial, an Iraqi Oil Ministry spokesman said: “It is too dangerous for our engineers to reach one of the damaged sections near Mahmudiya", which is an area south of Baghdad that is a known insurgent hotbed.”
The country that is known for its vast oil reserves now is hosting queues of cars outside petrol stations in the summer heat waiting for their turn to fill up their tanks. As a matter of fact car owners now wait until their tank is totally dry before they approach a station.
However, this is not the case for all Iraqis. Those who can afford it turn to the black market and pay more for their peace of mind. How much higher is it? More double than the government’s price, which amounts to 400 dinars, equivalent to 30 cents, per liter. Even though many drivers in the U.S. or the UK would be shocked at the cheapness of that price, it is considered quite significant for the residents of Iraq.
According to the BBC, Iraqis are now making plans beforehand for filling up their tanks. Many people have started queuing outside petrol stations in the night, further endangering their lives as crowded places often serve as magnets for insurgents’ attacks. In addition to this, those who wish to queue earlier must report their plans to troops manning checkpoints if they decided to go to the petrol stations after the night-time curfew.
An incident reported in the BBC article describes the hassle Iraqis go through to fill up their tanks. An Iraqi guy said he got up at 3:30 a.m., hoping to be first in line at a nearby state-owned petrol station. When it opened three hours later, each car owner was given a number in order to keep things organized. This guy was extremely happy to learn that he was number 131 in a 900-number line. It took him another 4 hours to reach the pumps.
Many analysts say the lack of petrol could be attributed to the shutdown of Iraq’s largest oil refinery in Beiji, which has been closed last December due to deteriorating security conditions. This isn’t the first refinery to be closed in Iraq, and definitely not the last.
The current situation in Iraq can force an increase in prices, which few Iraqis can afford in a country suffering from security and economic problems as a result of the U.S.-led invasion. It’s ironic yet true that Iraq, which sits on the world’s third-largest oil reserves, is facing difficulty providing its people with fuel.
PHOTO CAPTION
Motorists line up for gas at a gas station in Baghdad
Source: Aljazeera.com