Minister of Supply Mohamed Abu Shady has ordered an increase in the amount of cooking gas cylinders distributed nationwide in order to meet seasonal demand, according to the undersecretary of the Directorate of Supply and Internal Trade in Giza. Undersecretary Hefzy Sadek said Giza governorate's share of cooking gas cylinders has been raised to 2.2 million per month, representing an increase of 225,000, or 4% month on month. Seasonal demand for gas is higher in winter, Sadek said, and the greater quantities will be distributed over 198 depots in Giza and the share of each will be increased by 4%. "Butagasco" cars will be responsible for delivering the gas cylinders to remote areas, he added. Abu Shady announced on 3 November that large amounts of gas cylinders would be pumped to depots nationwide with the coordination of Ministry of Petroleum. Sadek stressed that the minister is closely following the process of distribution and "asking every hour if there are any complaints". A shortage in gas cylinders has strained the country in recent days, which Abu Shady attributed to the delay in shipments of butane gas due to bad weather conditions, according to state-own Al-Ahram. The Ministry of Supply announced in October a new programme to deliver butane cooking gas cylinders to homes on demand through a hotline while charging an additional fee "in order to facilitate the process of purchasing", according to a statement from the ministry.
