PM:01:45:15/06/2022
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SULAIMANI— Tens of taxi drivers in Erbil city protested fuel
shortage and rising gasoline prices on Wednesday (June 15), NRT's Rzgar Kochar
said.
One protestor said the gas stations selling Kurdistan
Regional Government (KRG)-subsidized fuel are few, causing long lines.
The protestor added that thousands of taxi drivers in Erbil
depend on only four gas stations in the town, which usually run out of fuel
around noon every day.
Another protestor said he had been waiting for 12 hours to
get fuel.
Taxi drivers have been protesting fuel shortages in other
provinces of the Kurdistan Region, including Sulaimani and Duhok.
The price of gasoline has increased significantly in the
Kurdistan Region since the winter, which has caused frustration for drivers and
proved a burden on low-income families and those who use their vehicles to earn
a living.
One litre of gasoline is sold for 1,300 to 1,450 Iraqi
dinars (approximately $0.89 to $1) based on the quality.
The KRG produces about one million litres of gasoline daily
for local consumption, subsidized at 690 Iraqi dinars (approximately 47 cents)
per litre, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).
The ministry said on Wednesday (June 8), a rocket attack on
a KAR group refinery in Kawergosk, Erbil province, on May 1 disrupted the
Baghdad-provided fuel.
It said Baghdad used to send 500 thousand litres of petrol
to the Kurdistan Region, which were refined in the KAR group's refinery.
However, following the attack, no fuel was sent from Baghdad.
(NRT Digital Media)