The government on Tuesday assured protesting petrol station owners that stricter controls at crossings will be imposed to clamp down on abuses related to the purchase of cheaper fuel from the breakaway north.
However, what the petrol station owners want is for the mass crossings of Greek Cypriots to the Turkish-held territory to supply their vehicles with cheaper fuel to stop.
Something that it is impossible to do considering the EU’s green line trade regulations but an alternative is the call on the government by the protesters to see a significant reduction in fuel taxes.
Afterall, that would make it less attractive for thousands of their clients to buy fuel from the north for private use – something that it is not illegal.
However, President Nikos Christodoulides made clear on Tuesday that fuel trading is prohibited and illegal.
It is not a secret that some not only transport fuel in drums but also have hidden tanks in some of the vehicles they use.
Measures the government has pledged to take include customs workers carrying out stricter checks at crossing points. And customs departments at crossing points will be “strengthened”.
