BWEL defends the quality of butane it sells to consumers
Importers of butane have now agreed to a new price formula depending on the grade of the gas. On Wednesday, however, representatives from the Liquid Petroleum Gas importers, at a press conference, alleged that their competitor, Belize Western Energy Limited, was selling inferior quality butane because the company mixed imported product with the cheaper product from Belize Natural Energy. They also alleged that the blend is dangerous because it corrodes gas tanks at a faster pace. But according to BWEL’s Regional Corporate Director based in Guatemala, Jose Mai, all companies blend their products and B.N.E.’s and BWEL’s butane is no less hazardous than theirs. In addition, Mai said that the quality of BWEL’s butane is as good as any other on the Belizean market.
Via Phone: Jose Mai, Regional Corporate Mgr., BWEL, Guatemala
“I am denying the allegations, Marion. I am unaware of any health risks or hazards from BWEL’s products—our product is as good as theirs or anyone’s. We import our products directly from the refineries in Venezuela. I don’t know what these gentlemen are talking about.”
Marion Ali
“And do you buy anything from B.N.E. and mix it or dilute it?”
Via Phone: Jose Mai
“In the LPG Industry there is nothing such as diluting, yes you can blend, but the term diluting does not apply.”
Marion Ali
“Ok, do you buy from B.N.E. and blend with any imported product?”
Via Phone: Jose Mai
“Yes we do. Industry standards dictate that you can market mixtures between seventy-thirty to sixty-forty. Now PEMEX happen to export sixty-forty, which two companies import from Mexico. Western Gas that operates in the Cayo District and Belize Gas that operates in the Orange Walk District, they import from México, but they also buy from one of the importers of Central America. And then they mix PEMEX products with products coming in from Guatemala.”
Marion Ali
“You are saying that all the companies blend their products?”
Via Phone: Jose Mai
“Every single one. As far as I’m concerned the quality of B.N.E. is excellent And they do periodic testing of the quality of their product abroad. I believe their laboratory is somewhere in the U.S. We have, from time to time, requested this from B.N.E., they have provided it. We do our own testing in Central America and there is nothing wrong with our product. This allegation being made by whomever did it—I don’t know on what these gentlemen base it, but I can tell you that BWEL is the only company that has a thorough inventory control procedure in terms of inventory as well as quality. We’re the only company that has a technical department, whereby we go to customers to do installation, to do testing and to check the lines and so on. I have not heard any complaints from any customer in Belize complaining about the quality of our products.”
Can I ask if BWEL passed the savings they are getting from buying locally from BNE? If not what is their plan? This sounds like we paid for local butane at imported prices!
Prophet – I agree with you, and I think that is the case,as all the importers have been mixing the Butane with the local Butane. All this fuss is more about BNE wanting to branch out and sell their own directly to the consumer at a lower price, than any perceived threat to the livelyhoods of the importers.
They have been fleecing the Belizean consumers for so long, that they would never want the gravy train to stop.
If I am correct, there are Consumer Protection laws and even government officials paid to protect teh consumers. Well, on paper that is, as none of the ‘Big Players’, politicians (The more we pay, the more taxes go to Belmopan) are remotely interested in enforcing the law, so the consumer protection staff are ill-equipped, and never get convictions.
When was the last time you saw in the news of stores, butane importers, gas Stations etc. being prosecuted for being in breach of the Consumer protection Act? NEVER, and you never will.
As ever, the rich get richer, and rthe rest get screwed!!!!