Fuel Consumption Up At Alarming Rate
By Hadi DP Mahmud

Bandar Seri Begawan - The ever-growing number of motor vehicles on the sultanate's roads has caused the demand for petroleum products to increase by an alarming rate and the nation, therefore, needs to take necessary measures to curb the growth, a senior official revealed yesterday.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Awg Haji Hamdillah Abdul Wahab said the number of motor vehicles in the countryincreased by 22 per cent to 152,306 in 2004 from 124,529 in 2000.

As a result, fuel consumption has also increased by an annual average of 3.7 per cent to 431 million litres in 2004 from around 375 million litres in 2000, he said in his speech at the official launching of the Mar'Azmala Petrol Station and Trading in Jerudong.

"With a young but growing public transportation system, the introduction of new and more affordable vehicles in the market and the continuing confidence in the growth of the economy in real terms at an annual average of two per cent from 2000 to 2005, the increase in fuel demand is expected to continue," he said.

In response to a recent call by the Minister of Energy quoted in yesterday's The Brunei Times, "to adopt a lifestyle in tune with energy conservation is yet another appeal made against wastage", Dato Hamdillah suggested three practices to be implemented by large organisations and people in villages.

He encouraged community members to arrange car pooling when going to work or when dropping off and picking up children to and from school.

"`Concept Berjiran' (neighbourhood concept) should not be restricted to looking after each other's house but should also be expanded to the pooling of cars," he added. The pre-planning of journeys to avoid traffic jams was another comizlun -practice to conserve energy, said the deputy minister.

"Another well-known practice is to buy or own small and economical cars with high kilometres per litre of petrol used... and not fuel guzzlers," he continued. "A change in mindset is required for those three practices, and it can start now, at the individual level," stressed Dato Hamdillah further.

The Mar' Azmala Petrol Station and Trading, located in the vicinity of the Jerudong highway, is Brunei's 38th petrol station. All four major fuel types - Ron 97, Ron 92, Ron 85 and Diesel - are provided at the station, which has been operating since September 19.

Equipped with CCTV and security systems, the facility is one of 11 petrol stations in the country to have the Fleetcard Management System installed, providing convenience for government departments with their fuel purchases. An on-site car wash is also available for customers who want a convenient car wash. At yesterday's ceremony, station manager Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Pahlawan Major General (R) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Jaafar Abdul Aziz signed a retail agreement with Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd managing director Pg Yasmin Pg Mohamad.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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