Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association has warned that all petrol pumps across the country may shut down at any time due to fuel shortages and lack of security.
The organization made the claim in a press release issued to the media on Sunday night.
According to the statement, the condition of petrol pumps across the country is “very dire,” as the daily fuel supplied by companies is insufficient to meet customer demand.
As a result, motorcycle users are waiting in queues for hours to collect fuel, while pump workers are facing physical and mental pressure due to prolonged, uninterrupted duty hours they are not accustomed to.
“Overall, due to inadequate fuel supply, petrol pumps across the country may shut down at any time,” the statement said.
The association noted that it had earlier raised concerns over the need for security at petrol pumps. However, it alleged that the government and district administrations are effectively ignoring security issues in the fuel marketing system.
It also claimed that disorder is increasing at pumps due to the absence of effective security measures during fuel sales.
Citing recent examples, the organization said that on the day before Eid, one pump had a stock of 10,500 liters of petrol and an equal amount of octane, while another pump had around 8,000 liters of fuel.
Although such stock is typically expected to last several days, it was depleted within a short time due to sudden excessive demand and disorder, it said.
Describing the situation as a form of “looting,” the association alleged that some individuals are collecting fuel multiple times a day.
While pumps are selling fuel in line with administrative directives, many motorcyclists are reportedly purchasing fuel up to 10 times a day and reselling it at higher prices. Others are repeatedly returning with partially filled tanks to collect more fuel, depriving genuine customers and creating further disorder.
ChatroKontho/Tribunereport