[12/August/2007] SANA'A, (Saba)- Oil and Minerals Minister Khalid Bahah justified on Sunday gas shortage, which affected local markets over the past period, by carrying maintenance works on four laboratories at block 18 of Safer Company the thing that reduced gas production to 40 percent.

He warned gas agents and sellers against rising gas bottles prices, calling, at the same time, citizens not to pay any extra money other than the official price for a bottle of gas and affirmed that the forthcoming period would have sufficient quantities of gas to avoid any such problems.

In a statement to Saba, Bahah clarified that these four labs resumed works last week, noting that there is no difficulties currently regarding gas shortage as it has been distributed to all gas agents and traders across the country.

Works are presently underway to set up a new unit to extract gas which would contribute to reinforcing local sufficiency of gas substance and exporting it, the minister noted.

AM/AM

Saba