The Trinidad & Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited is assuring the public that fuel distribution has resumed in rural communities.
According to this press release, NP says that they encountered challenges due localised flooding caused by heavy rainfall, which culminated in undermining roads and damaging infrastructure. Details follow in this press release...
The Trinidad & Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (NP) wishes to assure residents in rural communities that fuel distribution has resumed to key areas, in spite of the weather-related damage to roads and infrastructure.
Within recent days, NP’s ability to deliver fuel to Service Stations in rural communities was challenged by localised flooding caused by heavy rainfall, which culminated in undermining roads and damaging infrastructure.
In light of this transportation vulnerability, NP’s assessment of the potential safety hazards and risks would have dictated that deliveries be temporarily halted to safeguard the lives of our drivers and contractors and to avert the occurrence of any incident that could potentially pose risks to human life or the environment.
Although NP’s distribution network remains robust, reliable transportation infrastructure is paramount to NP’s meeting its mandate. Nevertheless, in spite of the extraordinary weather events which rendered the roadways impassable and disrupted critical services, less than 5% of NP’s network was impacted, with Toco being the only area where confirmation of accessibility for tankers carrying liquid fuels, is still outstanding. Service Stations originally impacted have since received a supply of fuel and an update would be provided subsequently.
Furthermore, NP conducted an assessment in collaboration with the Programme for Upgrading Road Efficiency (PURE) unit of the Ministry of Works and Transport and it was determined that full accessibility has been restored to the roadway at Chatham for NP vehicles to traverse and deliver fuel.
In its proactive response to the recent weather events, on 2022 November 21st NP first started exploring alternative routes where possible, which was confirmed yesterday. Additionally, the Company engaged the services of smaller single-discharge tanker units (operating at partial capacity due to weight restrictions), who together with the guidance of a spotter/lorryman would assist the driver with roadway visibility and maintaining a clear line of sight as they traverse key areas.
Notwithstanding the above, NP wishes to reassure the public that the Company has systems in place to ensure that we will continue to meet the fuel distribution needs of the Country in a timely manner and ensure the reliable and continuous supply of liquid fuels, aviation fuel and LPG /cooking gas to the local market.