The shortage of fuel in Region One (Barima-Waini) has taken a toll on the daily operations of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and residents are being forced to bear exorbitant prices for fuel and services, Chairman of the RDC, Brentnol Ashley said.
Ashley yesterday told Stabroek News that the shortage of fuel has been preventing regional officers from venturing into communities and carrying out their duties.
“Many of the RDC programmes which requires having boat transportation is not being carried out because of the fuel shortage in the region. The health sector is probably the most affected sector because doctors are not able to get to patients and we don’t know what will happen in cases of emergencies,” he said.
It is now close to six weeks that the region has been battling with fuel shortages, a development which has resulted from the crisis in Venezuela. The region, under the past administration, was allowed to purchase fuel at a low cost from suppliers in Venezuela.
Since the shortage, Ashley said some persons have been sourcing fuel from Charity, Region Two, but lamented that the prices have tripled.
He explained that persons are now paying between $75,000 and $100,000 for a drum of fuel. Ashley 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.
Additionally, Ashley stated that the mining industry in the region has been heavily affected due to the high fuel prices.
“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,” Ashley said.
He noted that at the regional level, they have spoken with the Marketing Manager of Guyoil to supply the region but they are still awaiting an update.
“I spoke with the Marketing Manager at Guyoil, but she said she will speak with her procurement manager and get back to us but we haven’t heard back from her as yet,” he explained.
Ashley, in a Facebook post in late May, made a call on behalf of the people for government intervention to provide an urgent solution.
In the post, he also called for a relaxation on the $5,000 a barrel Guyana Revenue Authority tax on all fuel.
