KINGSTON, Jamaica — In an effort to avert the threatened disruption in the petroleum trade, the Ministry of Science, Energy & Technology (MSET), the Fair Trading Commission and the Consumer Affairs Commission, facilitated two meetings on Friday, January 27, with the parties involved in the impasse.

The MSET, FTC and CAC group first met with representatives of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JRGA) and subsequently with the RUBiS management to gain clarity on the issues behind the reported disquiet in the retail trade, said a release from the ministry on Monday.

According to the MSET, while some matters raised by the JGRA referred to the need for additional regulations or legislative amendments, some of which were already being pursued, several of the issues outlined by the JGRA and RUBiS were of a private commercial and contractual nature and were consequently outside of the remit of the Government to intervene.

The ministry said that the representatives of the JGRA and RUbiS were urged to meet and conclude negotiations on outstanding contracts with a specific dealer, which were of particular concern to the JGRA.

 The ministry said it also encouraged the parties to continue negotiations in good faith, to resolve remaining issues in the national interest.

The MSET noted that should a resolution not be achieved, then the parties could opt to pursue the legal remedies that may be available to them.