Dubai: A number of Emiratis and expatriates have decided to boycott petrol stations on Wednesday in a symbolic protest against the 11 per cent increase in oil prices, according to text messages circulated among motorists.
From tomorrow, petrol in the UAE will cost Dh1.52 per litre, a jump of Dh0.15.
The call to boycott petrol stations is being circulated through BlackBerry messenger, SMS and emails. The message calls on motorists to fill up their vehicles today and boycott petrol stations tomorrow. The message is accompanied by an image which motorists are asked to place as their profile picture in the mobile phones as a sign of joining the boycott.
Mohammad Ahmad, an Emirati employee, said the increase is actually more than it sounds because the measure changed from gallons to litres early this year. "An increase of Dh0.15 for a litre is actually Dh0.60 for a gallon. But with litres, it seems a small increase," he said.
"If I fill up my car on Wednesday, instead of the current Dh100, I will be paying an extra Dh13," Ahmad said.
