KINGSTON, Jamaica — Consumers are being assured that the country has adequate supplies of fuel and there is no need to engage in panic-buying of the commodity.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz gave the assurance during Monday’s media briefing to update the country on Hurricane Melissa recovery activities at Jamaica House in Kingston.

He said that the Petrojam refinery sustained no major damage and has adjusted its opening hours to 6:00 pm to allow for refuelling of tanker trucks for distribution to western Jamaica.

Since Thursday (October 30), more than 400 tanker trucks have been loaded, destined for western Jamaica, including the hardest-hit parishes, the minister said.

“As the roads are cleared by the National Works Agency (NWA), the tanker drivers will [continue to] transport the much-needed resource. There is no need to panic-buy or store excess fuel. We have adequate fuel,” he said.

He noted that Rubis has 41 service stations opened across the island, representing 82 per cent of their network. Seven stations remain closed, while the status of two is to be confirmed.

“They have also put in staff and resources to reopen remaining stations and carry out maintenance in St James,” he indicated.

Minister Vaz said that the Rubis Westgate service station in St James is now open 24 hours per day to meet demand, and Johnson’s petroleum network remains stable and functional, delivering fuel around the island.

Minister Vaz informed that there is also ample supply of aviation fuel.

“We have between 75 per cent and 80 per cent capacity across our international airports, and we are coordinating with our international partners such as the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation and the Fuel Relief Fund to support distribution of energy fuel for humanitarian efforts,” he noted.

— JIS