Gas station closure causes difficulties for daily life and business production

Ngoc Vinh gas station in hamlet 2, Tang Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) has requested to close from February 15, 2022. Photo: Hai An

Recently, Yen Thanh Gasoline and Food Store, Block II, Yen Thanh Town requested to stop operating from January 10, 2023 and currently this store's business license has been revoked by the Department of Industry and Trade.

This gas station is located right in the center of Yen Thanh town, and has long served many vehicles in Xuan Thanh, Tang Thanh communes and Yen Thanh town very conveniently. However, sinceThis gas station is closed.somewhat affect people's lives.

A local resident shared: This gas station closure has caused inconvenience to the people. Daily life has been disrupted as they have to travel long distances to other gas stations, wait in line to find a place to fill up; during the Lunar New Year, people compete to fill up at the gas station in Hoa Thanh commune.

Also near Yen Thanh town, Ngoc Vinh Gas Station in Hamlet 2, Tang Thanh Commune has asked the authorities to close from February 15, 2022. This gas station is located in a "prime" location with a bustling population, close to the Yen Thanh District Medical Center, Vien Market... A local resident said: For a long time, vehicles have been coming here to refuel very conveniently. For the past year, this gas station has been closed, so people have had to go up to Dong Thanh commune, or down to Block I, Yen Thanh town, 2-3 km to refuel, which is both time-consuming and costly.

Mr. Dao Van Khai - Chairman of the People's Committee of Tang Thanh Commune said: The whole Tang Thanh Commune has only had a gas station of the private enterprise Ngoc Vinh, but now it has requested to stop operating, affecting the daily life of the residential area. Currently, a business has come to survey and apply for procedures to open a gas station in the Khe Vang bridge area in Hamlet 1 near Vien market. If there is a gas station here, people will not have to go far to buy gas.

According to the report of the Economic Infrastructure Department of Yen Thanh district, the district has 51/61 gas stations in operation; from 2021 to now, 13 gas stations have resigned for many reasons, including business losses. Faced with the above situation, the People's Committee of the districtYen Thanhis coordinating with relevant sectors to inspect and review gas stations to remove difficulties and obstacles, to ensure timely supply to the people.

Phung Loan gas station in Hong Long commune, Nam Dan district has been closed for nearly a year and has now dismantled the gas and oil pumps. Photo: Hai An

In Hong Long commune, Nam Dan district, Phung Loan gas station has been closed for nearly a year, causing many difficulties for people in the area. A resident of Hong Long commune said: Since this gas station closed, we have to travel 2-3 km further to Xuan Lam commune or Hung Tien commune to buy gas.

A representative of the People's Committee of Hong Long Commune said: The closure of this gas station also causes inconvenience to the people, because the whole Hong Long Commune only has one gas station. The Commune is in dire need of businesses and households with conditions to open more gas stations in the commune to serve the people.

Mr. Tran Van Phu - Deputy Head of the Economic Infrastructure Department of Nam Dan District added: There are 33 stores in operation in Nam Dan District, from 2021 to now, 4 gas stations have closed, and their business licenses have been revoked by the Department of Industry and Trade. The reason the stores asked to close is because their business licenses have expired and they are operating at a loss.

The stores that requested to close include: Huong Lien Gas Station (Huong Lien Private Enterprise) in Dong Cham Hamlet, Nam Cat Commune; Van Huong Gas Station (Van Huong Trading and Service Company Limited) in Phuong Kieu Hamlet, Trung Phuc Cuong Commune; Phung Loan Gas Station in Hong Long Commune; Hoang Son Gas Station in Nam Giang Commune, Nam Dan District.

Hoang Son gas station in Nam Giang commune, Nam Dan district has closed and ceased operations. Photo: Hai An

"The closure of gas stations has somewhat affected the demand for gasoline and oil in residential areas, however, due to the high density, the issue of serving people is not a concern. At this time, the supply of gasoline and oil in Nam Dan is stable, the district is coordinating with functional agencies to inspect and review the operation of gas stations, making efforts to ensure supply for people" - Mr. Phu said.

According to the report of the Department of Industry and Trade, Nghe An province has 681 gas stations currently operating normally; since the beginning of 2022, 10 gas stations have closed down and requested to stop operating, mainly in Yen Thanh, Nghia Dan, Tan Ky, Nam Dan districts... In addition, since 2021, the whole province has had more than 20 gas stations that have stopped operating after their licenses expired.

Faced with the above difficulties, the Department of Industry and Trade is coordinating with localities to review and summarize arising problems related to petroleum supply, management and operation of petroleum activities; report, advise and propose to the Provincial People's Committee reasonable and timely direction and operation plans.

Despite the difficulties, the supply of gasoline in Nghe An is still guaranteed. Nghe An currently has 8 private enterprises distributing gasoline, with current gasoline reserves reaching over 200,000m3.³The Department of Industry and Trade requires key traders to proactively exploit sources of goods to meet people's needs in the coming time.