By ROMULUS MASIU
THE price of fuel in Bougainville has skyrocketed overnight to K9 per litre for petrol, the highest in the market.
However, this is not preventing motorists including PMV owners and business houses, as everyone is reportedly going on a ‘suicide mission’ and purchasing whatever is available in the market.
In Buin some businessmen are crossing over to the neighbouring Solomon Islands and transporting fuel drums on outboard motor dinghies. They are selling a litre for K9.
A fuel outlet in Kokopau, northern tip of Bougainville mainland, yesterday sold out its last five drums of diesel in just 30 minutes with many disappointed customers turning away with their containers.
That service station was selling diesel for K6.50 per litre.
PMV driver Andrew Pito, who travelled from Arawa to Buka yesterday, said the township of Arawa had completely dried up with no fuel at all.
In Buka , some vehicles are now using marine diesel brought there on a vessel from Philippines.
The marine diesel is further mixed with kerosene to make it lighter for vehicle use.
Many drivers have already parked their vehicles and are waiting for the next shipment from Rabaul.
Meanwhile, reports said PNG Power may shut down its generators if no fuel reached Buka this week.