The arrival of a tanker meant to ease fuel shortages in São Tomé and Príncipe has been pushed back to next week, Economy and Finance Minister Gareth Guadalupe announced on Wednesday, 14 October, according to Téla Nón and Jornal Económico. The delivery had previously been expected this week.
The minister now points to an arrival on Tuesday, 20 or Wednesday, 21 October. According to details reported by Téla Nón, the vessel must finish loading diesel in Lomé, Togo, where gasoline has already been loaded, then head to Cotonou, Benin, to complete its cargo with jet fuel and domestic kerosene.
This new deadline extends the supply difficulties for gasoline and domestic fuel. The advanced date remains a government target, as loading and transport have not yet been completed.
Gareth Guadalupe also assured that the state would continue to subsidize fuel prices, despite the financial difficulties linked to imports and other public commitments, Jornal Económico reports.
On 6 October, the minister had explained that suppliers would not deliver until the resources needed to pay for the imports were secured. He had then announced that he had obtained the funds and expected gasoline to arrive within a week.