DR. JEAN Dixon, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology, has drawn to public attention that the illegal sale of gasolene in Jamaica is increasing and has now reached unacceptable levels with some 100 "filling" stations in the Corporate Area and many more in the rural parishes.
The authorities must give this problem urgent attention and bring it under control for it involves serious issues of public safety. Gasolene is highly inflammable and its clandestine distribution in drums to customers who are conspirators in the racket, is bound one day to result in a conflagration of tragic proportions. Already there have been several fires and when dangers of this nature are ignored, fate usually sees to it that luck runs out.
The public is also on notice that the fire hydrant rehabilitation programme of the Jamaica Fire Brigade has stalled because of lack of funds with some 50 per cent of the total hydrants in the island being out of commission. Illegal gasolene sales and inoperable fire hydrants what a deadly combination, a catastrophe waiting to happen.
The source of the illegal petrol is said to be "skimming" from truck tanker supplies sent out to approved retail gas stations which end up receiving less gas than they pay for. We find it hard to believe that in this day and age such a primitive form of theft can't be stopped. What is needed is an accurate method of measuring what leaves the refinery and what is received by the retailers. This is now being done by the old "dip stick" process which allows for a large margin of error.
It is our understanding that there are now available technologically advanced measuring devices which function with digital accuracy. In view of the dangers inherent in the present situation better metering is a must to stop the illegal gasolene trade and it would make sense for Petrojam, the marketing companies and the retail gas stations, to share the costs of new and more accurate measuring devices. If this cannot be negotiated voluntarily, it should be mandated by law.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
