GAS

submitted by 381 motorists. The CAC had received 478 complaints in the aftermath of the situation which drove fear into the motoring public, but 55 were ignored because they did not have all the requisite information such as proof of purchase and mechanical reports.

The proposed compensation is among a number of legislative and non-legislative recommendations made by the PTRC, which also undertook a comprehensive review of the regulations and protocols governing Jamaica’s petroleum trade.

Williams indicated that her ministry has accepted a dozen of the recommendations and has already begun developing drafting instructions to have them implemented.

One of the recommendations accepted by the Government will make it an offence for gasolene retailers to purchase fuel from unlicensed bulk distributors or haulage contractors.

“An offender will be liable to have his licence revoked,” Williams said.

The energy ministry has also accepted a proposal that will make it mandatory for consumers to get a receipt for gas purchases; the re-establishment of a petroleum inspectorate; and that all fuel-dispensing nozzles should be fitted with an appropriate filter recommended by Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ).

In December 2015, a total of 17 gas stations were ordered closed by the BSJ after Paulwell publicly acknowledged complaints from scores of motorists that their vehicles had been damaged by contaminated petrol.

A fuel-quality report released at the time pointed to illegal mixing stations, rogue gas stations and conspiracies between persons at various levels of the petroleum trade.