KABUL (SW): In the wake of mounting gas prices, officials at the Department of Petroleum Enterprise have pledged to act and bring the prices down.
As winter nears and demand grows, gas prices rise steadily in the country. It has been almost a month that gas prices have swollen-up. Citizens in the capital Kabul have expressed their deep concerns over gas prices saying that the government has not been able to monitor gas prices in the market.
Kabul residents have stated that while days ago per kilo gas was available at AFN 45 in the market, now it has surged to AFN 70 per kilo.
Officials at the Department of Petroleum Enterprise had earlier told Salam Watandar that they would reduce gas prices; there has been no reduction in reality however. Samim Wali, the head for the Department of Petroleum Enterprise claimed that the private sector is hoarding gas to create artificial demand and then supply on high rates. He added that to compete with the private sector, the Department of Petroleum Enterprise would supply gas to the market.
Samim went on and said that the Department of Petroleum Enterprise would supply gas to the market in upcoming week. He noted that per kilo gas would be supplied at around AFN 45-55.
The head for the Department of Petroleum Enterprise stated that to reduce gas price, the government would import more gas from Iran, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Kirghizstan.
ENDS
