Fuel station owners have called on the Ministry of Mines and Energy to restrict fuel wholesalers and banks from operating in the retail market. They say these entities are taking from their margin of N$1.13, which has remained constant over the past four years. Fuel station owners are saying they are drowning in debt with some of them going bankrupt. Over the past five years, there has been a decline in national volumes as the government issued more operating licenses. The chairperson of the Fuel and Franchise Association Hennie Kruger says wholesalers are operating in the retail market by providing fuel to fleet owners and transport operators at prices retailers cannot compete with, while the banks take up to 42 cents from every transaction done by debit card. Whatever remains after these costs service owners have to pay their employees, bills, rent, and maintain their stations. Kruger says the government, as a regulator, should adjust the retail margin for fuel retailers to remain profitable and cover costs. Now service station owners have put up an ultimatum and requested an increase in the retail margin, of which failure to meet their demands will lead to the closure of their services for 7 days. Meanwhile, Petroleum Commissioner Maggy Shino says the government is unable to increase the retail margin service station owners are demanding due to the current economic circumstance and the increase in fuel prices.