Law coming to blow out bad gas from fuel industry
ENERGY MINISTER Fayval Williams has disclosed that new legislation is coming to protect consumers at the pumps in the wake of new reports that bad gas has again been seeping into the petroleum trade.
Speaking at the press launch of Texaco Jamaica centenary anniversary, held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston last week, Williams said the Petroleum (Downstream Activities) Act is being developed to regulate the quality of fuel supplied in the country.
“I want to assure you of the Government’s firm commitment to the industry and our continued support in areas of policy and the maintenance of industrial harmony within the sector. We are committed to ensuring that consumers receive quality petroleum and petroleum products to meet their energy needs.
“The ministry is committed to creating the legislative framework that would ensure not only quality, but safety in accordance with international best practices for the benefit of the motoring public,” said Williams.
The newly appointment energy minster underscored that among the aims of the act being proposed, is a reduction in the levels of pollutants and emissions arising from the use of fuel that may cause environmental and health problems, and “an insistence on the protection and safety of consumers and the general public”.
The act will seek to facilitate the adoption of better engine
and emission-control technology, allow for more effective operation of engines, and ensure that where appropriate, information about fuel is provided when it is supplied.
The recommendations by the Petroleum Trade Reform Committee (PTRC) that investigated the substandard petroleum products of the 2015 episode of the bad gas saga, have not yet been fully implemented, although Cabinet had accepted the report from the PTRC on August 22, 2016, and agreed to implement a series of recommendations.