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The head of the Gas Station Owners and Gas Distribution Shops Syndicate, Nahar Al-Saaidat, confirmed on Friday that the demand for kerosene during the summer season has risen to about 7 times its usual consumption in the winter season.
Al-Saaidat warned that continuing to use it as a substitute for diesel in vehicles threatens the stock of the subsidized substance intended for heating and causes serious technical damage to engines.
He said that the significant increase in demand for kerosene has exceeded the ability of marketing companies to provide the required quantities, explaining that Jordan's consumption of the substance usually amounts to about 200 million liters annually, while the surge in demand at high rates places additional burdens on the production and supply system.
He added that kerosene is a substance subsidized by the government and is intended to meet the needs of low-income citizens for heating purposes, noting that using it as fuel for vehicles diverts the subsidy from its intended beneficiaries and affects the ability of the concerned authorities to provide the substance for its designated purposes.
He explained that the circular issued to fuel stations stipulates a ban on filling diesel-powered vehicles with kerosene, confirming that the Syndicate supports the decision and adheres to its implementation according to the agreed-upon instructions, ensuring the return of the substance to its intended use.
Al-Saaidat also warned that using kerosene in diesel engines may lead to significant damage to the fuel injection system, including pumps and injectors, in addition to the possibility of the engine suffering costly breakdowns.
He pointed out that some drivers resort to using kerosene to take advantage of the price difference between it and diesel, especially when they receive financial allocations for refueling, which may prompt some of them to buy the cheaper kerosene and keep the financial difference at the expense of the vehicle's safety.
He indicated that the Syndicate has received information about cases related to vehicle damage resulting from the use of kerosene instead of diesel, noting that one truck owner filed a complaint against a driver due to damage to his vehicle's engine, and that the cost of repairing the engine could reach thousands of dinars.
He emphasized that vehicles are licensed to operate using specific types of fuel, whether diesel, gasoline, gas, or electricity, and they may not be operated with fuel that violates their designated specifications due to the resulting breakdowns and risks related to public safety.
Regarding the mechanisms for implementing the decision, Al-Saaidat said that the circular was sent to the Public Security Directorate and the Minister of Interior, noting that using kerosene in vehicles in violation of the instructions will expose violators to legal measures in coordination with the competent authorities.
He added that fuel stations will comply with the circular, and stations proven to be in violation will face the prescribed measures, including closure as he indicated, confirming that the Syndicate will monitor compliance with the instructions.
He clarified that selling kerosene to citizens to fill in jerrycans or tanks intended for household use is not a violation in itself, but filling it directly into the tank of a diesel-powered vehicle is considered a violation according to the aforementioned instructions.
He pointed out that the challenge lies in the possibility of purchasing kerosene in containers and then transferring it to vehicles later, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and cooperation with security authorities to detect violations and utilizing surveillance cameras at stations when needed.
Al-Saaidat stressed that workers at fuel stations are required to comply with the circular, and any attempt to force the filling of kerosene into vehicles in prohibited ways requires contacting the competent authorities to take the necessary measures.
Regarding drivers resorting to kerosene as a result of the high cost of operating vehicles, Al-Saaidat indicated that there are economic pressures on the transport sectors, but he confirmed that rising diesel prices are not a demand of the Syndicate or those working in the sector, given its repercussions on transport costs and commodity prices.
He explained that the high cost of diesel is reflected in the wages of transporting goods and their prices, and its impact may extend to the prices of bread and basic commodities, which increases the burdens on citizens.
He believes that the crisis of rising diesel prices is caused by geopolitical circumstances and tensions related to the Strait of Hormuz, expressing his hope for a decline in global prices and the end of the crisis, which would allow prices to return to their normal levels and contribute to driving the national economy.
Al-Saaidat noted that the government and the concerned authorities are looking for ways to deal with rising fuel costs, explaining that there are consultations with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission regarding alternative options, including expanding the use of gas-powered vehicles.
He indicated that the use of gas, as an available option according to approved specifications and legislation, may constitute one of the paths proposed to deal with operating costs in light of the challenges facing the transport sector.
Al-Saaidat called on citizens, drivers, fuel stations, and official authorities to implement the instructions, protect public funds, and ensure that the subsidized kerosene reaches its intended beneficiaries, stressing the need to consider the public interest in light of the current economic circumstances.
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