That assurance came late Saturday from Energy Minister, Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan in a media release.
She said NP has continued its distribution although its workers have not been on the job.
“Let me assure citizens of Trinidad and Tobago that there is no shortage of fuel being supplied to the nation’s service stations. Up to 2:30pm today, over 80 loads of fuel left the NP compound at Sea Lots. These loads are being distributed nationally.”
She added that that NP activated its contingency plan to ensure full operations. “The question of a need to panic-buy simply does not arise. The management team at NP is out in full force doing what needs to be done to ensure delivery.”
She also denied that NP locked out workers early. "I am advised by NP that no such incident took place," she said.
NP workers are refusing to carry out their duties to press demands for higher wages. They have refused a five per cent increase and are threatening to continue to refuse to distribute fuel until the matter is resolved.
Their union - the Oilfield Workers Trade Union - is demanding a 50 per cent increase for the three year period ending at May 31.
Employees refused to work overtime this weekend, leaving distribution managers at NP to fill gas tankers themselves. The action caused huge lineups for fuel and service stations in several parts of the country.
Many stations ran out of supplies due to unusually high demands brought on by fears of a fuel shortage.
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