Markets in Cairo were replenished with thousands of tonnes of petroleum products in the early hours of Wednesday, a Cabinet statement has claimed, adding that official inspections at gas stations across the capital found a number of irregularities.
The announcement follows a rising fuel shortage in Cairo and other governorates, which has seen huge fuel queues build up across the country.
Delays and inaccessibility to fuel has added to popular discontent with the government, days before opposition demonstratinons will call for early presidential elections and President Mohamed Morsy's ouster from power.
Prime Minister Hesham Qandil called on citizens not to worry about petroleum shortages.
“We have injected 2100 tonnes of gasoline in 120 gas stations in Cairo and the governorates,” he said. “This is in addition to the 2800 tonnes of gasoline we [had] provided on Tuesday.”
The statement, posted on the Cabinet and Presidency’s official Facebook pages, said the government is obliged to provide for the fuel needs of citizens all over the country.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
