Ajdabiya is facing a severe cooking gas supply crisis, with residents forced to queue for long hours at the city’s instant filling station, amid growing public frustration and soaring prices on the black market.
Local sources said the price of a single gas cylinder has risen sharply, ranging between 70 and 120 Libyan dinars on the informal market, putting additional pressure on households already struggling with high living costs. The shortages have prompted widespread complaints from citizens, many of whom rely on cooking gas as an essential daily commodity.
In response to the situation, the Ajdabiya Municipal Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the causes of the crisis and potential solutions. According to a statement, the council identified several key problems, including the unauthorised use of the filling station by foreign residents and the leakage of significant quantities of cooking gas into the black market.
Council members warned that these practices have contributed directly to the scarcity of supplies and the emergence of long queues, undermining efforts to ensure fair distribution among local citizens. They stressed the need for immediate regulatory measures to restore order and prevent exploitation.
As part of its decisions, the municipal council announced a temporary ban on supplying cooking gas to foreigners at the filling station. It also introduced a requirement for citizens to present their national identity cards upon entry, aiming to guarantee that gas supplies reach eligible residents only.
The council said these steps are intended as interim measures while broader solutions are explored in coordination with relevant authorities and distribution companies. It acknowledged that the crisis reflects wider challenges in Libya’s fuel distribution system, including weak oversight and persistent black-market activity.
