Region One (Barima-Waini) continues to be affected by a fuel shortage as a result of the existing crisis in neighbouring Venezuela.
Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council Brentnol Ashley told this newspaper on Friday with the continuing shortage of fuel, officials from the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) visited the region to assess the situation and promised to communicate with regional officials on the way forward. Ashley said that persons continue to pay $7,000 per five gallon can of fuel.
Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency Mahendra Sharma told this publication that the agency has met with GUYOIL officials and engaged in discussions to address the shortage. He noted that only gasoline type fuels are in shortage. In the interim, to address the shortage, Sharma said, “Gasoline is currently being sourced in Region Two and transported to Region One.” He added that discussions are ongoing and they will have to engage stakeholders to find a more permanent solution to the fuel shortage in the region. Ashley had told Stabroek News that the shortage of fuel has been preventing regional officers from venturing into communities and carrying out their duties. He had also pointed out that residents are being forced to bear exorbitant prices for fuel and services.
Persons are now paying between $75,000 and $100,000 for a drum of fuel. Ashley, in a previous interview, said depending on the location of villages in the region, the price for five gallons of gasoline varies between $8,000 and $15,000. Taxis in the areas have also raised their prices from $1,000 to $3,000 and $4,000, and minibuses have also increased their return fare from $600 to $2,000 and $3,000.
“The cost of fuel is affecting us drastically. Transportation fares have tripled and businesses are feeling the effects. The entire region is being affected by this and we are calling on the Government to do something about this situation,” the RDC Chairman added.
Last Monday, Stabroek News reported that communities in Region Seven dependent on fuel supply from neighbouring Venezuela have been hit with a fuel shortage as a result of the crisis and prices for commodities have increased sharply.
