[www.inewsguyana.com] – A shortage of fuel on Monday, November 10 at Charity and in the Pomeroon forced scores of farmers, school children and residents to paddle home along the Pomeroon River.
Councillor of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Arlene Boyant in her address during a statutory meeting today, Tuesday November 11 in Anna Regina, said gas stations at Charity and in the Pomeroon experienced a shortage of fuel on Monday during the busy market day.
She told Councillors that some persons who wanted to exploit farmers and school children sold fuel which they hoarded for more than $2,000 per gallon.
Boyant, who represents the Pomeroon at the RDC meeting, said the situation caused serious confusion at the busy waterfront. She said farmers, school children and residents were forced to paddle their boats along the Pomeroon River to their homes.
Region Two Chairman, Parmanand Persaud said there was a slight shortage of gasoline in some parts of the country last week but the situation was not alarming because it quickly returned to normalcy.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance recently announced Cabinet’s decision to approve an increase in the excise taxes for diesel and gasoline.
Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh announced that the excise tax on gasoline has been increased from 20% to 40% while the excise tax on diesel has been increased from 15% to 35%.
The Fuel inspectors keep molesting the people about illegal fuel and the legal fuel is not available, also raising the price of fuel right now will not increase the supply – not a sensible move.