The gas crisis is reaching its peak in Egypt's southern governorate of Assiut, as bickering citizens line up to purchase gas cylinder. Meanwhile, cylinder prices are spiking, reaching LE25 (nearly $5) per pipe.
“We need greater scrutiny on the reservoirs to prevent the smuggling of pipes. That and black market are the main factors behind the price hike,” said Mohamed Khalaf, a worker who was awaiting his turn in line.
Mohamed Reda, head of the Directorate of Supply in Assiut, says he has intensified campaigns to eliminate crowding, reduce black market operations, and control the price of gas cylinders. The goal of the campaign, he explained, is to catch offenders, especially those who sell the cylinders on the black market.
Reda added that the Directorate has appointed an inspector to each warehouse in order to prevent leakage of pipes from warehouses, and is planning to increase the amount of pipes available in the province to about 1.5 million, starting January 2011.
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