Don't hoard fuel, we have enough and will import if necessary says energy minister

Energey Minister Kevin Ramnarine: "We will continue to deliver fuel to all the gas stations..."

News of an impending shutdown of the operations of the state energy company, Petrotrin has caused panic buying of fuel although the government has given the assurance that there will be no shortages.

Supplies have started to run out in some stations already with three days to go before the workers down tools and begin what the Oilfield workers trade Union (OWTU) has called a long war.

On Tuesday, Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine assured local media that there will be no shortage.

“Petrotrin, NP and the Ministry of Energy have put in place contingency plans to ensure a secure and adequate supply of fuel - diesel, gasoline and aviation fuel - to all customers,” Newsday quoted Ramnarine as saying.

“We wanted to assure the population that we will continue to deliver fuel to all the gas stations in the country.

"Of course in the last 24 hours there has been some rush buying. People going to gas stations and forming long lines and so on has always been the tradition in Trinidad and Tobago, once people seem to believe there is going to be a disruption at Petrotrin. However, history has always shown we have always been able to deliver fuel and we will continue to do that,” the minister said.

He said if Petrotrin's supplies are not adequate the government will import fue from Venezuela or the United States.

“There is sufficient inventories at Petrotrin and if need be, we could import fuel if it comes to that. But we feel very confident that we have the situation under control and we’ll be able to deliver fuel to Cedros, Toco, Chaguanas, Port-of-Spain, and throughout the country,” said Ramnarine.

“I’d say we have sufficient inventories, at least for the medium term. Certainly in the short-term we are well equipped,” said Ramnarine.

“At this present time we are in a very good position to continue the supply of fuel. The bond in Pointe-a-Pierre, which is where the country gets its fuel from, is currently open and is being operated by Petrotrin.

"There are people who are trained to operate the bond, in the event of industrial action. The report I’ve gotten from the acting president of the company (Petrotrin) is that the bond is currently open and road tank wagons are being filled up right now."