Minister of Finance Bounchome Oubonpaseuth has ordered the Department of Customs instruct chief customs officers of provinces and international border checkpoints across the country to facilitate the import of fuel by removing all procedures that may cause suspension or congestion of oil tanker trucks.
The minister stated in a notice signed on Friday that the officers need to work with the Standardisation and Measurement units of the Industry and Commerce sector to ensure fuel is imported and distributed to domestic gas stations in a prompt manner.
He also asked the Department of Tax, also under the Ministry of Finance, to work with relevant authorities to prevent dealers from selling fuel at prices higher than those allowed by the government, hoarding fuel, and to impose strict punishments against such violations.
The Department of Customs and relevant authorities were urged to tighten measures against fuel smuggling along the national borders.
Last week, Minister Bounchome assured people’s representatives at the ongoing 3rd Ordinary Session of the 9th National Assembly that from coming Monday onward fuel, currently in short supply, will be available at gas stations nationwide.
Source: LAO News Agency