THE Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) and Petrojam have asked the energy ministry for more time to complete its tests on fuel samples at service stations across the island, in the wake of reports from motorists that their vehicles have been damaged by sub-standard gas sold at some of these stations.

Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell on Monday ordered the tests to be done on Tuesday and the results submitted to him within 24 hours.

But yesterday the ministry issued a release stating that the BSJ had “advised the energy ministry that samples have been collected and chemical analyses are underway for all petrol stations for which complaints were received for dispensing sub-standard or contaminated petrol”.

The tests are being conducted jointly by the BSJ and Petrojam, and the entities have indicated that the test results will be submitted to the ministry by Wednesday, December 30.

On Tuesday, Paulwell told the Jamaica Observer that the Government would impose criminal sanctions against people involved in the mixing of fuel. He also said there were indications that some fishermen could be involved in the illicit trading of gasolene, and that informal importers were bypassing customs and bringing in fuel illegally. He added that the Government would be looking to clamp down on quality control in the trade so that imported fuel undergoes the same testing procedures as that from the Government’s refinery.

Junior energy minister Julian Robinson and a team of stakeholders are expected to review the protocols and regulations governing the petroleum trade in order to inform recommendations to address the gaps in the system.