NP deliveries normal, no need for panic buying of fuel: Energy Minister

Energy Minister Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan has confirmed that all employees on the National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited are now back on the job and fuel supplies to filling stations are normal.

“I am therefore assuring the nation that there is no need for continued panic-buying of fuel. Supply has been constant and will remain constant with all service stations across the country receiving sufficient fuel to meet regular needs,” the Minister said in a media release.

Last weekend motorists went into a panic after NP employees refused to work overtime, causing a drop in deliveries. However the company quickly put a contingency plan into operation to continue to deliver supplies.

That did not stop the panic buying and many filling stations ran out of fuel because of the unusually high demand, which included hoarding by some consumers. NP and the union met on Monday and resolved most of their differences.

The main issue of wages is still to be discussed. The union is demanding a 50 per cent pay rise; NP is prepared to give five per cent. Both sides are scheduled to meet Friday to discuss this matter.