SHARJAH // Ten months after Enoc stopped supplying petrol to its dozens of stations across the Northern Emirates, three of the stations are, somehow, still pumping out petrol.
Bassma Essa, spokeswoman for Enoc Group, was unable to explain the phenomenon.
Of the three stations with the bottomless pumps, two are in Ajman, on a stretch of Emirates Road that links the emirate to Ras Al Khaimah, and one is in Fujairah.
Last June, Enoc shut its operations in Sharjah after failing to comply with a 72-hour ultimatum issued by the Sharjah Executive Council to resume refuelling or close.
That followed a month of problems supplying petrol to the Northern Emirates.
The Enoc group, which also runs Eppco stations, closed pumps, shops, blocked car service bays and removed items for sale, including car lubricants, at petrol stations.
In other emirates such as Ajman, the group continued to sell merchandise but cancelled fuel supplies.
But for drivers filling up at an Enoc station on Emirates Road last week, the dispute was not on their minds - so long as the petrol kept on flowing.
"Business is very busy here," said Saeed Al Bayati. "Many people who take this road from Ras Al Khaimah without enough petrol have to drive a long distance before they can find this station to refuel."
Mrs Essa said Enoc is still in discussions to resume operations throughout the Northern Emirates, but its stations remain closed.
In the meantime, long queues for petrol are a common sight at most Adnoc and Emarat outlets - the only companies supplying petrol to the Northern Emirates.
"For the last two months I did not refuel in Sharjah as my work is in Dubai, but today am surprised to find the long queue at this station," said Lamya Ali a Sharjah resident who stopped at the Emarat station on Al Arouba Road.
Many people avoid the queues by refuelling in Dubai before driving home to Sharjah.
In September, an Enoc executive said the company had sustained billions of dirhams in losses because of the federally mandated cap on fuel prices.
"Yes, we are not pumping fuel today," said Zaid Alqufaidi, Enoc's managing director of marketing. "But once the decision is taken on the pricing, I think it will [start]."
ykakande@thenational.ae
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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GROUP RESULTS
Group A
Results
Ireland beat UAE by 226 runs
West Indies beat Netherlands by 54 runs
Group B
Results
Zimbabwe tied with Scotland
Nepal beat Hong Kong by five wickets
