SHARJAH // The Enoc Group of filling stations has been told to start selling petrol again tomorrow or it will be ordered to shut down its operations in Sharjah.
Video:Drivers react to petrol shortages in Dubai
Last Updated: June 08, 2011 UAE
Emarat and Eppco petrol stations in RAK, Sharjah and Dubai have all reportedly been suffering from shortages recenty. Drivers at an Emarat station in Dubai react after being told by staff that the station's supply has run dry.
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The emirate's Executive Council issued the ultimatum as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, directed the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to solve the fuel shortage that has crippled the Northern Emirates for nearly a month.
The council set the deadline on Tuesday at its regular weekly meeting, led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim Al Qassimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.
"The Executive Council directed the Sharjah Economic Development Department to close down all stations and facilities owned by Enoc Group after 72 hours from Tuesday, June 21, if the group fails to resume operations at all its petrol stations in Sharjah," it said.
"These directives come in line with the keenness of the Council to cater to the needs of Emiratis and residents of Sharjah. Fuel stands out as one of the necessities of daily life."
The company, which operates Enoc and Eppco stations, has been told of the decision. Its spokesman was not available for comment. More than two weeks ago the Executive Council gave the petrol company 48 hours to explain why its facilities in Sharjah were dry.
There was no public response from either side, but the council acknowledged yesterday it had spoken to Enoc Group about the first ultimatum, without providing details of the discussions.
Dr Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al Najjar, a member of the Sharjah Consultative Council, said members were grateful Sheikh Mohammed had stepped forward to offer a solution.
"This makes us feel like one family, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has always made us one and happy," he said. "I think this will make all Enoc and Eppco stations be Adnocs."
No details of Adnoc's plan to address the shortage are available, but Adnoc Distribution said earlier it was increasing its supply of fuel by up to 40 per cent in its 59 stations in Sharjah and the four northern emirates.
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Enoc and Eppco petrol stations in Sharjah have been dry for about a month. The company blames technical upgrades, but none of its stations in Sharjah has shown any signs of such work.
Enoc and Eppco are forced to sell petrol at a loss because the federally regulated retail price is lower than the wholesale price at which they buy it on global markets.
“The fact that we see Adnoc stepping in pretty much proves the widespread suspicions that this was a way for Dubai to stop subsidising demand in the Northern Emirates,” said Samuel Ciszuk, the senior Middle East and North Africa energy analyst at IHS Global Insight, a consultancy in the UK.
“The best thing that could have happened was that Adnoc could have supplied Enoc with a certain amount of crude at domestic pricing to its Jebel Ali refinery, to compensate for the subsidies that they have to carry in the Northern Emirates. That doesn’t appear to be on the cards now.
“If Enoc is no longer involved in the Northern Emirates, it will be able to concentrate on turning itself into a purely commercial entity. Adnoc will then effectively carry the subsidies for the rest of the country.”
Thaddeus Malesa, an independent energy analyst based in Dubai, said: “The Sharjah stand-off is a culmination of a multi-year debate on fuel subsidies, which are financed across the Emirates by operating companies.
“The ultimatum provided to Enoc will result in a change of emphasis for the company, as it will now retreat from its heavy exposure in the Northern Emirates and make way for Adnoc.”
Dr Dalton Garis, the associate professor of Economics at the Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, said the issue may not be so black and white.
“To say it’s a changing of the guard would be putting it too strongly,” he said. “The Northern Emirates asked for help and Adnoc obliged. Certainly if they want more petrol stations, Adnoc is happy to supply them. It increases their presence in an important retail market.”
ykakande@thenational.ae
* With additional reporting by Martin Croucher
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The years Ramadan fell in May
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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
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- 600-seat auditorium
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Serie A
Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)
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- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Rating: 3/5
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Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
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Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Date of birth: 27 May, 1995
Place of birth: Dubai, UAE
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Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
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- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
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- Sweet Child O’ Mine
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- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
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GMC Sierra Denali 1500
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Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Price: Dh232,500
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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