The authorities' report on fuel supplies at gas stations has caused skepticism among the residents of Abkhazia.
After the authorities of Abkhazia reported the delivery of 414 tons of gasoline, queues still persist at gas stations, fuel is in short supply, and its quality remains low, local residents noted on social media.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on July 30, the authorities of Abkhazia reported that 414 tons of automotive gasoline had arrived in the republic, while the delivery of other fuel volumes is expected in early August.
Long queues have formed at gas stations in Abkhazia. On the evening of July 29, videos appeared from the "Podorozhnik" gas station, where dozens of cars lined up along the roadside. According to commentators, the fuel dispensing volume is limited to 20 liters.
The message from the authorities of Abkhazia that 414 tons of gasoline had been delivered to the republic was published on July 30 by the Instagram*-public dtp_abh, which has about 22.3 thousand followers. As of 10:45 AM Moscow time on August 1, this post had received 248 likes and 31 comments.
Users doubted that the fuel supplies announced by the authorities would quickly eliminate the fuel shortage.
"This is for two days," wrote astamursmur. "Eight wagons – how much," believes lyumik1987.
Some users stated that after the authorities' report, gasoline is still absent at gas stations.
"414 tons, you say, but where are they? There is none at any gas station," pointed out user cvinariyar95.
"Today there were queues, there is hardly any gasoline. Tomorrow, the situation should change," believes 11111fer.
Commentators also pointed out the ongoing queues at gas stations and the need to travel in search of fuel.
"And the queues are not decreasing," noted ovcharova_10.
"People are tired of racing for gasoline," stated user naurtapagua.
Separate dissatisfaction was caused by the limitation of gasoline dispensing to 20 liters.
"I have a 4.3 engine. What should I do if 20 liters a day is not enough?" asked shanava_330.
"Everyday needs for 20 liters? Almost 70 percent of the population has seasonal work. How can people work on excursions, transfers, in taxis, and so on?" questioned sapaeva__diana.
Users also discussed the quality of the gasoline being sold. "If only it were pure gasoline, not diluted," wrote gechba.l.
"Have you personally measured the quality of the gasoline?" inquired lion.5989601.
"Drop an octanometer into the 95 at any gas station – questions will disappear," stated gechba.l.
"The gasoline is terrible, and they also introduced a 20-liter limit. Now you can only drive from gas station to gas station – by the time you stand in line, that gasoline will burn up," wrote anastasia_23.05.
"Caucasian Knot" also reported that the fuel crisis in southern Russia has led to an increased demand for converting cars to gas, resulting in long queues at auto repair shops. Long waits force drivers to turn to "gray" installers who do not guarantee the safety of the equipment, analysts noted.
A mass transition to gas will not solve the fuel shortage problem due to the insufficiently developed infrastructure. According to the deputy director general of the National Energy Institute Alexander Frolov, creating it in a short time is impossible. "However, the current crisis is a good reason to remember the programs that already exist but are developing much slower than planned," he explained.
The leading analyst of the National Energy Security Fund Igor Yushkov suggested that the increased demand for gas cylinder equipment will be temporary. After the stabilization of gasoline supplies and the disappearance of queues at gas stations, interest in installing gas equipment will decrease, he believes.