Burundi’s Ministry of Energy and Mining announced that the shortage of fuel faced by the country mid-April was due to a “technical breakdown” that interrupted clearance processes within the Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR), an allegation the Authority denies, All Africa reported.

According to IWACU News, from April 17 to April 20, cars and motorcycle drivers were waiting for hours at the few fuel stations that were still working as many of the fuel pumps around Bujumbura town were dry. However, the fuel stations have already returned to their normal routine.

The Ministry’s Director of the Fuel Department, Daniel Mpitabakana, noted that connection breakdown had made it impossible for providers to supply fuel.

“There was a technical breakdown for over four hours on Monday (April 17). When there is such a breakdown, importers cannot do customs clearance and therefore cannot cater fuel to consumers” he explained.

The Ministry’s allegations were denied by Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR) through a series of comments on Twitter claiming that there was no breakdown.