Fuel Shortage Causes Panic Buying
There were long lines, honking horns and chaos at service stations from north to south today, as the shortage of fuel saw almost everyone who owns a vehicle heading straight for the gas pump. The scarcity of gasoline brought on by inclement weather last week in the Gulf Coast saw demand for fuel skyrocketing overnight in Belize. Despite assurances this morning from the Financial Secretary that relief supplies were on the way, this noon delivery did little to alleviate the problem. Reporter Isani Cayetano was out in Ladyville and Belize City today.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Across the country today, thousands of motorists were forced to endure long lines at various service stations where fuel was being rationed by gallon. The shortage of petrol led to consumers rushing over to the nearest gas stations to refuel. When they got there, they weren’t allowed a full tank. Instead, they were informed that the issue would be normalized by midday.
Lizette Armstrong
Lizette Armstrong, 100 Service Station
“Since morning, once they knew we had a few gallons of gas this morning, it was very hectic. After that we didn’t have so it died down and now we just got gas a few minutes ago and, as you can see, it’s quite busy.”
Despite receiving a supply of fuel at noon, service stations in other parts of Belize City shuttered their operations shortly thereafter as they had run out of gas. In a release issued by Puma Energy, the sole importer of gasoline in Belize, the scarcity is attributed to weather conditions in the Gulf of Texas last week that directly affected the supply to Belize. Panic buying only exacerbated an already bad situation.
Linda Montero
Linda Montero, Manager, Shell One Stop
“The demand, as you know, is not only the country of Belize, it’s something happening worldwide and we’re just feeling a little bit of it, you know, and the demand is there, of course, as a gas station. The line, it’s not been that bad, you know, because we have been rationing it out to the customers, not selling large amounts, you know, rationing it up so everybody can get a little.”
Today’s allocation is not enough to cover the overwhelming demand as evidenced by the long lines outside of 100.
Lizette Armstrong
“No, it’s not going to suffice. All I can say is that I doubt very much [that] it’s going to suffice.”
Isani Cayetano
“When we look around at other service station across Belize City, some have refueled earlier as well and they too have closed down because the demand for fuel seems extremely high today.”
Lizette Armstrong
“Yes, that’s true, very high and of course we don‘t have [enough].”
Isani Cayetano
“How are you guys managing the long lines out here?”
Lizette Armstrong
“We have good workers, efficiency. As you can see, we are a new gas station and we’re very efficient in dealing with our customers. So I think we are doing it good.”
This afternoon, the Belize Retail Service Station Association fired off a release of its own, highlighting the need for action against the lack of public information from government and Puma Energy since the B.R.S.S.A., too, was not consulted in respect of dealing with a crisis situation of this kind. At Shell One Stop, the demand for regular gasoline which presently stands at ten dollars and ninety-five cents, outweighs the quantity that’s available.
Linda Montero
“The demand is always high for regular, always high. We just received a load and that’s what we’re issuing right now.”
Isani Cayetano
“How long do you think that load will last?”
Linda Montero
“I could say about probably by the end of today and tomorrow morning.”
Isani Cayetano
“Then what happens after that, I mean it’s a situation where the supplier isn’t providing the fuel in a timely enough manner, then what happens next?”
Linda Montero
“Well we’ve been promised that we will get on Thursday morning, so I think it will ease up. They will find a solution.”
The limited supply that was provided by Puma today is only to hold over until the tanker arrives and discharges its cargo by Thursday. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
