Taunggyi- A Shan State lawmaker has raised concerns in the Shan State Parliament over delays affecting fuel tanker trucks transporting fuel from Yangon’s Thilawa Port to Shan State, warning that prolonged procedures could disrupt fuel distribution and contribute to price instability.
During the second day of the Second Regular Session of the Third Shan State Parliament on June 10, Hsihseng Township Constituency No. 1 representative U Aung Kyaw Nyunt questioned the Shan State Government regarding additional local approval requirements imposed on fuel tankers despite compliance with existing transportation regulations.
The lawmaker stated that fuel tankers departing from Thilawa Port are already subject to official sealing procedures, travel permits, GPS tracking systems, and inspections by the Petroleum Products Regulatory and Supervisory Committee (PPRT). However, upon entering Shan State, operators are reportedly required to obtain further local endorsements, causing significant delays.
According to U Aung Kyaw Nyunt, these delays make it difficult to deliver fuel to consumers on time, contribute to fluctuations in fuel prices, and create financial losses and operational challenges for traders and business owners. He urged the Shan State Government to review and reduce unnecessary approval requirements in order to improve the flow of goods and ensure stable fuel supplies.
Responding to the question, Shan State Minister for Electricity, Energy, Industry and Transport U Khun Than Htoo explained that the Ministry of Energy and the Department of Petroleum Products Supervision calculate weekly fuel requirements nationwide and authorize imports and distribution to licensed fuel stations across the country.
The minister noted that fuel supplies in eastern Shan State are imported through the Tachileik border trade route and currently face no major difficulties. Fuel destined for southern Shan State is transported from Thilawa Port through Nay Pyi Daw and Pyawbwe before reaching Kalaw, Aungban, Taunggyi and other townships throughout the region.
He emphasized that fuel shipments must undergo various security and verification procedures to ensure they reach their authorized destinations safely and are not diverted to unauthorized locations. Coordination is required with security checkpoints, regional authorities, and military commands along transportation routes.
According to the minister, fuel transport documents issued at Thilawa are cross-checked by authorities, and approvals are processed through Shan State's Security and Border Affairs Ministry and the Eastern Command. Tankers are then allowed to proceed through designated checkpoints, including those in Hopong, Loilem, Pinlaung, and Namhsan.
Addressing the concerns raised by the lawmaker, U Khun Than Htoo said that, given the current security situation in the region, authorities must conduct thorough inspections to ensure fuel is delivered to licensed fuel stations and ultimately reaches the public. He acknowledged that vehicles may experience some waiting time at joint inspection checkpoints but asked transport operators and the public for understanding, stating that such measures are necessary for security and proper distribution control.
