There was an air of uncertainty among Unipet employees, not only about their jobs but about the supply of fuel to the various stations in South Trinidad.
Fuel levels at the company’s fuel stations were nearing their ends and staff said they had no information on whether the company had fuel to supply to the stations.
The shortage comes as the Paria Fuel Trading Company cut off its supply to Unipet after a negotiation between the two companies failed. Paria also stated that Unipet had defaulted on payments owed for September and October. Paria said this it had the potential to affect its ability to purchase fuel from its supplier. In a media release on Tuesday, NP assured the public that it can supply the nation.
When motorists pulled up at the fuel station along Union Road, Marabella, no parking signs blocked the pumps and a sign stated that there was no supply of Super Unleaded gas. When the Guardian Media team visited at noon, all fuels were finished.
At Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando, there was fuel, but the staff there said they were running low. Asked about whether the stations would be shutting down, they said there was no information from the company on this as negotiations were ongoing. This was the same at the station along the Southern Main Road, Marabella.
For some motorists, they fill their tanks at any fuel station so their only concern was whether there would be long lines at the NP pumps. For Brian Campbell, he uses Unipet because of the double filter system. He said at NP stations, he got water in his diesel, which caused him to spend $70,000 to purchase a new engine. Campbell lives in La Brea where there is only an NP station.
“This worries me because I prefer the double filter system here. I had to spend $70, 000 for a new engine because of water in the diesel at the NP stations. I never got water at the Unipet station,” Campbell said.
The lack of supply did not cause overcrowding at the NP stations up to noon, however, motorists are concerned that there would be a rush for gas soon.
