Petrol panic - Retailers sound warning ahead of more fuel hikes
Published:Friday | February 25, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Edmond Campbell and Patrina Pink, Gleaner Writers
AS THE uprising in sections of Northern Africa, in particular Libya, gains momentum, president of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers' Association (JGRA), Trevor Heaven, has sounded a warning to Jamaicans that the price of petrol could skyrocket in the weeks ahead.
Already, Heaven says some retailers in rural Jamaica have been selling E10-90 gasolene for $115 per litre.
The JGRA head said that with Libya being one of the leading oil producers in that region, a shutting down of its facilities could spell dark days for countries such as Jamaica.
"If there is a serious fallout in those supplies, the impact on the inventory and reserves would be such that the price will continue to increase," Heaven told The Gleaner yesterday.
Currently, the price of all categories of petrol in the Corporate Area has smashed the $100-per-litre mark, with some retailers selling the product for as much as $105.
Heaven told The Gleaner that his petrol station was purchasing diesel for $102 per litre.
The JGRA president suggested that some marketing companies have been hiking their margins at the expense of the motoring public.
Last night Percival Minott, a courier living in St Catherine, told The Gleaner he has been having a hard time at the pumps.
"I have to drive from Greater Portmore to Cross Roads each day and I have to drop off my son and wife," he lamented. "We can't deal with this. The price is getting more and more ridiculous and it makes me feel like I soon have to park my car."
At the same time, Patrice Blackwood, a barkeeper whose business is based in Spanish Town, said she would be embracing public transport, even if only for a few trips.
"Life is more convenient when you have your vehicle because you don't have to stop, but there comes a time when you have to park your car."
Kamron Bennett, a public-health inspector, said: "I have to drive over 80km per day to and from work."
He added: "The gas price is very annoying even though where I work has some of the lowest prices in Trelawny."
Some retailers have been up in arms over Total's decision to increase the price of its products above the amount recommended by Petrojam.
Despite a significant jump in the price of fuel, Karl Angell, director of communication in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), said the police have increased their mobility on the nation's streets.
He said the JCF was concerned about the moving fuel prices as much of its work is dependent on mobile patrols.
"We have not seen a decline in mobile patrols. In fact, these patrols have increased since the start of the year," Angell said, noting that there has been a 20 per cent increase in mobile patrols across the island.
He said the JCF has appointed officers to deal with issues relating to conservation in various regions.
"These persons are asked to ensure that there is strict compliance with the conservation regulations that we have."
Angell pointed out that officers have been instructed to ensure that service vehicles are used in accordance with the force's stipulations.
Commenting on the impact of the fuel tax on retailers since its introduction in 2009, the JGRA president said the volume of sales had plunged by up to 25 per cent, resulting in reduced margins.
"Since that eight dollar plus for the gas tax, we have seen a reduction, but we haven't seen the recovery to where it was up to this point."
He said retailers have had to diversify to stay afloat.