Vendors said that they have to wait for days to get gas supply at the Wadi Kabir and Ghala refill centres. Saeed Salem al Rahbi who supplies cooking gas to consumers in Al Khuwayr Ghubra and Ghala said 'The crisis started over a month ago. I reached the Wadi Kabir centre yesterday [Saturday] night at around 11pm.

'It's 3pm [Sunday] now and I am still waiting. I will consider myself lucky if I get the supply by at least tomorrow [Monday] morning. The queue is quite long as there are many other vendors who are also waiting.'

Rahbi said that once he had to wait for three days to get the cylinders refilled. 'My customers are calling me every 15 minutes to enquire about the supply but I am helpless. Some coffee shops and restaurants are also affected by the shortage.'

He said that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry officials recently visited the refill centre in Wadi Kabir to discuss the problem.

'Unfortunately they have failed to come up with a solution to deal with the crisis. The problem is worsening by the day. This is my only source of income and I request the authorities to look into the matter' Rahbi said.

Ahmed Said Ahmed al Hadi another vendor who supplies gas to residents and establishments in Ruwi Wadi Kabir and Muttrah said 'Earlier we used to get supply from two to four gas tankers daily. Now we consider ourselves lucky if we get supply from even one tanker.

'I came here on Saturday evening and I am still waiting to get supply. One tanker came today. The situation is worse at the Ghala refill centre. The government must look into the problem. This concerns residents and citizens. In the past Al Thara Trading and Contracting Co and Oman Gas Company were supplying gas. Now Oman Gas Company is the only supplier.'

On condition of anonymity another vendor said 'This place [Wadi Kabir refill centre] has become my home. I have to stay here 24x7 to get gas supply.' Ahmed Umair Saif al Habsi who supplies gas in Wadi Adai and Wadi Kabir said 'I am 68. I have 26 children and two wives. This is my only source of income. I am suffering a lot. I request the government to urgently look into the matter.'