Ministry of Energy: No shortage of fuel

 Reshma Ragoonath 

Reports of a shutdown at the Petrorin refinery in South Trinidad sparked panic buying at gas stations throughout the country yesterday with long lines and traffic congestion at several outlets. 

In a release yesterday after, the Ministry of Energy assured that there was “no shortage of fuel throughout the service station network.” 

“NP continues to deliver fuel and assures the traveling public that supplies continue to be made to all its services stations,” release added. 

Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) President Ancel Roget also assured that there was no shutdown. He explained that there were  internal problems at the Petrotrin Bond but workers did not walk off the job. 

Petrotrin Trinmar Branch President Ernesto Kesar also refuted claims of a shutdown and said that workers were on the job. 

“Workers are disappointed with the slow pace or rather, no pace in negotiations of zero by zero by zero but, indeed we have not taken any industrial action,” he declared. 

Despite these assurances, there were long lines of vehicles at several gas stations. 

Kesar said workers were aware of the challenges presented by the limited state of emergency. 

“Our workers are very responsible and law abiding citizens and they would not engage in anything that will be deemed to be unlawful or contravention of any laws. We (must)  have a clear direction and some movement in our negotiations,” he said. 

He added, however, that the workers chose to express their concerns. 

“We must have a clear directive on our hours of work and this has to be done in collaboration with the union. We have a 24 hour operation at Petrotrin and shift workers. 

“We have met with the management and we signed an agreement but, we do not have a clear directive on how they (workers) are to work,” Kesar explained. 

He said the trade union and management are scheduled to meet at 3 pm to discuss the workers’ concerns.