For several days now, Tunisia has been experiencing a cold spell, with snow falling in the north-western highlands.
The only problem is that some residents of these regions, particularly in Kasserine, Aïn Draham and some other areas, heat their homes with gas, and the shortage has left some Tunisian households unprepared.
But residents remain optimistic: the snow is a good omen. Not to mention the many curious onlookers who come to enjoy the magnificent snow-covered landscapes.
7,000 household gas cylinders distributed daily in Kasserine
The services of the regional directorate in Kasserine are working to ensure the regular distribution of household gas cylinders in all the delegations of the governorate in order to combat the cold snap.
In a statement to TAP on Wednesday, the regional director of trade, Mabrouk Abada, said that around 7,000 household gas cylinders are being distributed daily in all the delegations of Kasserine governorate.
“Efforts are being made to supply additional quantities in coordination with the relevant central services to alleviate the current shortage in the region,” he said.
Daily consumption of domestic gas in the region during the winter season varies between 6,500 and 7,500 bottles per day, he pointed out, noting that this figure has increased as a result of the recent cold snap, which has led to an increase in demand.
With regard to the complaints received by the Regional Directorate of Commerce from citizens in certain areas regarding the lack or shortage of LPG, the Regional Director assured that these complaints would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and assured that the situation would improve in the next few days.
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Khaled Bettine, Chairman and CEO of the Société nationale de distribution de pétrole (AGIL), attributed the shortage of domestic cylinders in Tunisia to limited storage capacity, which prevented large orders, and to the fact that the product was being diverted to people who were not affected.
He explained that the company is currently working on increasing storage capacity and adding new lines for filling domestic cylinders, and pointed out that three ships carrying liquefied natural gas are due to dock in Tunisian commercial ports this week, followed by three more the following week.
He also pointed out that the gas is being supplied under agreements with global suppliers, through a specific program that defines delivery dates and planned quantities.
On the other hand, the CEO of AGIL pointed out that the fact that domestic gas was being diverted to unrelated parties had contributed fully to the shortage, in particular through its use by individual taxi drivers and poultry farms during this sensitive period, stressing that domestic gas is mainly intended for family use.
