Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The National Socotra Archipelago Conference, a political entity in the Yemeni island, denounced the continued deterioration of economic conditions in the governorate and the continuous rise in fuel prices.
In its statement, the conference expressed its condemnation of the ongoing increases in fuel prices, as a UAE company continues to monopolize the market and impose prices, noting the absence of oversight from the state and local authorities, which have been unable to curb manipulation of these materials’ prices.
The statement explained that the “monopoly of a UAE company” over the market in the archipelago, without being subject to local laws or paying taxes and customs duties, has led to an unjustified rise in prices, with the price of a 20-liter jerrycan of diesel and gasoline reaching 44,000 riyals, while the price of a gas cylinder reached 27,000 riyals, further exacerbating the suffering of residents.
The conference directed severe criticism at the local authority in Socotra, demanding that it assume responsibility for these conditions, stressing that the local authority is the main partner in the continuation of the crisis due to the excessive increase in prices and the obstruction of fuel reaching the governorate from Yemen.
The statement also called for urgent intervention from the local authority to provide fuel at reasonable prices, with the need to open the door to other investors to limit market monopoly.
In the same context, the Qalansiyah district in the archipelago witnessed popular protests against the recent increase in fuel prices, where protesters demanded an end to the monopoly of the Emirati “ADNOC” company over the market and the provision of swift solutions to the gas and oil crisis.
Amer Qarat Al-Qahtani, one of the sheikhs of the Qalansiyah district in the archipelago, said in press statements, “This rise in fuel prices is the second within a month by the Emirati company “ADNOC,” which monopolizes the supply of fuel to the island of Socotra.”
He pointed out that “the rise in fuel and domestic gas prices has been reflected in the prices of basic commodities and has contributed to the deterioration of living conditions.”
He said, “The popular protest movement came through demonstrations that raised banners demanding the removal of the UAE’s hand from interfering in the affairs of Socotra, and the cessation of its support for the STC’s control over the island.”
It is noteworthy that Socotra Archipelago is witnessing an escalating crisis due to the complete control by the UAE-backed STC, which further exacerbates the living situation of the residents.
