Region One still grappling with fuel shortage

The price for fuel in Region One continues to drastically affect communities there, Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley yesterday told Stabroek News.

Over the past weeks, Ashley said they have seen prices for gasoline and diesel climbing and they are awaiting a solution from the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL).

He noted that the shortage continues to affect the region despite some suppliers sourcing fuel from Charity, Region 2.

At present, Ashley said five gallons of gasoline is being retailed at $6,500 while diesel prices have spiked.

“We are concerned of what the future would be because the crisis in Venezeula is still existing and we don’t know when that would change. We need an intervention now to address the shortage of fuel,” Ashley said as he noted that GUYOIL had promised to intervene but to date nothing has been done.

Officials from GUYOIL had visited the region back in June to assess the situation and promised to communicate with regional officials on the way forward.

“GUYOIL would have visited after they were invited by the RDC but until now there is no update nor intervention from them either ..... Now the region is once again facing a severe fuel shortage inclusive of diesel. It is very disappointing that after making several calls for Government intervention regarding the fuel shortage the region would have experienced during the past few months nothing was done to bring relief to our region nor people,” Ashley lamented.

The regional chairman said because of the shortage, the price for fuel both gasoline and diesel will continue to increase.

“The RDC is very concerned since this will be an added burden upon our people across the region especially the poor,” he said.