The new Woqod petrol station in Al Wakrah, and inset, Woqod CEO Ibrahim al-Kuwari. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil.

By Peter Alagos
Business Reporter

Woqod (Qatar Fuel) is expected to deploy 25 mobile fuel stations in key areas around Qatar within the next two months and bring to around 50 the number of permanent fuel stations across the country by the end of 2016, an official told Gulf Times.
The move could be a big relief to the motorists, who have been complaining about the shortage of fuel stations, which has caused long queues, longer waiting time, and traffic congestion, especially in key areas in and around Doha.
Woqod CEO Ibrahim al-Kuwari admitted there is a shortage of fuel stations in Qatar but was quick to say that Woqod is addressing the issue by working closely with government authorities in securing locations.
“We feel there is a shortage of fuel stations, which is why we have to speed up the progress at our construction sites to have these stations opened as soon as possible.
“It is part of the solution but there are also many ongoing projects in Qatar spearheaded by the government. The traffic congestion, particularly the long queues along Woqod fuel stations, is just part of these construction activities, which is only normal,” al-Kuwari said on the sidelines of the opening of the Woqod Al Wakrah station on Tuesday.
Al-Kuwari said Woqod plans to build around 50 petrol stations around the country by the end of 2016. In the meantime, he said the fuel company is awaiting government approval for proposals to build fuel stations or deploy mobile stations along key locations like the Corniche and the newly-constructed F-Ring road.
“We are trying to resolve this issue with the government. A proposal is underway and we are waiting on them to provide the right locations for us,” he stressed.
On the mobile stations, al-Kuwari said Woqod is “ready to deploy them to any area as soon as the government agrees with the target location.”
“We can install them in just two days. We have ordered more mobile stations and Woqod is ready to install around 25 of these stations in the next two months across the country.
“Currently, there are 12 mobile fuel stations operating in areas like Al Wakrah, Al Shamal, and other locations related to government authorities. We have requested the government for many locations; once they have approved them and worked out factors such as traffic congestion and other issues, we will move right away,” al-Kuwari asserted.
He said Woqod is expected to open 13 “additional” service stations by 2016, besides several expansion projects to be launched this year in different areas of Qatar, mainly in Doha. The remaining projects will be completed by the end of next year.