Weeks after Woqod ceased the sale of lightweight Shafaf liquid petroleum gas (LPG) at its petrol stations, residents report ongoing difficulty in buying them elsewhere.
In an email to Doha News, Al Sadd resident Paul said he and many of his neighbors in an apartment complex equipped with gas cooking ranges have been struggling to find stores that have Shafaf available. He writes:
“For the past 2 weeks it has been impossible to obtain refills at local shops within about 5km radius… One night I visited 6 outlets before I found a full bottle. The usual excuse from outlets, both petrol stations and shops, is that they have not received deliveries, and don’t know when they will do so.
This makes it very difficult for meal preparation, presently we are buying take away, which becomes boring and expensive, or eating cold meats and salads.”
A report in today’s Gulf Times quotes many residents as having the same problem – namely, that shops do not have enough supply to keep up with the increased demand for gas.
A Woqod spokesman previously Doha News that Shafaf gas cylinders were pulled from petrol stations following a directive from the Ministry of Interior, due to a deadly gas blast in February.
The explosion, which took place at a restaurant inside of petrol station complex, was apparently caused by a pizza oven that had been left on and leaked gas, officials said last month.
Supply woes
Since the accident, in which 11 people were killed, authorities have also cracked down on eateries inside of petrol station complexes, enforcing a two-year-old law that requires them to use electric stoves instead of gas ones.
Though gas cylinders are no longer being sold at Woqod petrol stations, the fuel company said they are available in nearly 200 supermarkets around Qatar. But many shops appear to continue to struggle with supply issues.
When reached by phone, stores on Woqod’s list of retailers in Bin Omran, Mansoura, West Bay and Abu Hammour told Doha News today they were out of cylinders, but hoped to get them soon.
Woqod was not immediately available for comment.
Have you been affected by a Shafaf shortage? Thoughts?
