Prior to the resurgence of conflictsin the Rakhine region,the price of 92 RON gasoline in Sittwe townshipwas MMK 2,200 per litre.But now it has increased upto MMK 30,000.
A Sittwe resident saidthat by 8 December, one litreof gasoline costs MMK 30,000.
“I've heard that it's available for purchaseafter queuing at Kone Tan and pricedat MMK 9,000 per litre. However, dueto the shortage of supply and timeconstraints many people can not buy the fuel. I havealready repaired my bicyclefor various uses,” he added.
In Mrauk-U township,the price of one liter 92 RONgasoline was around MMK 2,400 before the conflict. Byearly December, the price escalated to arange between MMK 15,000 and MMK 20,000.
The residents are finding difficulties in collecting thenecessary volume of fuel, said a local resident.
"We can not obtain the volume gasoline as needed. It'sa struggle to secure even one litre gasoline. More people are now using bicycles, who used motorcyclesearlier. Many are walking to reach their destinations,” he added.
In Taungup townshiptoo, the cost of onelitre 92 RON gasoline was MMK 2,350 before theconflict. As of now, the price has increased toa range between MMK 10,000 and 12,000.
"They are sellingfuel secretly allowingcustomers to get only onelitre at the maximum. Many gas stations withsufficient volume of fuel avoidselling it to the generalcustomers. They plan to sell outside withelevated prices. So the peopleare avoiding motorcycles and adopting bicycles whichhas also declined the number of accidents,” saida local resident.
Similarly in Ponna Kyunt township,prior to the conflict the price of one litre92 RON gasoline was MMK 2,700. Presently, it issold in a range between MMK 18,000 and 20,000.
"When the price of fuel increased, it emergedas a hardship for me. I limitedmy travelsas much as possible. For a short distance I now walkand have already sent my brokenbicycle for repair. I've preservedfuel in my motorcycle for emergency uses,” said alocal resident.
In Thandwe township too, the price of gasolinewas approximately MMK 2,300 per litre in the past, but by the end of November,it surged to a range between MMK 8,000 and MMK 9,000.
Due to the fuelshortage, the residents aremaking lines to gatherfuel from the gas stations to use in motorcycles,three-wheelers, and cars.
"We don't have access to fuel allthe time. They will allocateit one day ina month. The cost is MMK 5,000 for a motorcycleand MMK 10,000 for the three-wheelersor cars. They'vedivided the delivery days like oneday for motorcycles, one day forthree-wheelers and another day for cars. Dueto security concerns, we normally refrainfrom riding vehicles,” stated aresident.
In Maungdaw township, the residents informedthat the price of one litre gasoline in early November was MMK 2,800. Currentlyit has gone up to MMK 8,000.
Since 13 November, when the gunfighting returned to the Rakhineregion, the juntaforces blocked all roads andwaterways. As a result, the Rakhinetownships including Sittwe, have witnessedthe decrease of motor vehicles and subsequent increase in the use of bicyclesand cycle rickshaws.
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