Trinidad to act as a backup fuel provider to Guyana; PetroCaribe deal still intact

By Fareeza Haniff

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Guyana has a “standby” arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago to provide fuel in the event that there is a delay in shipment from Venezuela.

This is according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who explained that the PetroCaribe deal with Venezuela is still in place but Guyana will not risk any delays, pointing out that there have been issues with the on time delivery of fuel under the arrangement with Venezuela.

“A few weeks ago, the vessels that had gone to Venezuela to collect fuel, they were actually not provided with the fuel on time and this type of on and off arrangement, we had to ensure that we have an alternative arrangement put in place to ensure we did not have a shortage of fuel in Guyana,” the Minister of State said.

As such, the APNU+AFC government made arrangements with Trinidad and Tobago to purchase fuel from them, in order to ensure that there is a steady supply in Guyana and there is no shortage.

“So we have both arrangements in place; we have a standby arrangement which we utilize from Trinidad and Tobago and the PetroCaribe which is by contract. We do not feel that this arrangement will put in jeopardy any of the users of petrol in the country; in fact it is the government’s commitment to ensure that there is a reliable and a regular supply of fuel to drive industry in this country and we as a government will do what is necessary in the public interest to ensure that the wheels of industry continue to turn,” Harmon said.