KINGSTON, Jamaica—Johnson’s Petroleum will be deploying 10 mobile gas stations to provide fuel relief to parishes affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz inspected the units during a visit to the entity’s headquarters on Beechwood Avenue in Kingston on Wednesday.

The mobile gas station is a self-contained portable fueling system that integrates fuel storage pumps and safety features into a movable structure. These stations provide fuel access in areas without traditional gas stations.

Each mobile station consists of three independent 1500-litre compartments to dispense three different fuel types.

They are also equipped with a meter system that includes litres, sale, and price display; an emergency stop button; and solar-powered capacity.

Vaz commended the management of Johnson’s Petroleum, noting that the mobile stations will support communities in the building phase.

“They are beginning to fast-track to have the units ready to go out into the areas most affected. They have a national roll-out plan and I have asked them to concentrate specifically on the areas that have been most affected, which are the five parishes of the west,” said Vaz.

“I want them to work through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to find out exactly the areas that do not have access to fuel of all types to minimise the travel distance to get fuel… the mobile unit will facilitate this,” added Vaz.

He noted that the mobile gas stations will also support the fisheries sector, with fishing villages of Great Bay, Black River and Scott Cove in St Elizabeth and Belmont, Whitehouse and Negril in Westmoreland being targeted.

In the meantime, general manager of Johnson’s Petroleum, Phillip Calder, said the units are in full compliance with safety and regulatory frameworks.

“The strategy we have been working on is to use these mobile units or mini stations to enhance rural communities that are underserved. It so happens that Hurricane Melissa has put us in a place where we had to fast-track this plan. The fact that we already identified areas makes it easier for us to roll out,” said Calder.

He pointed out that areas in St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St James, and Trelawny have been identified to place the mobile stations with plans already in place for the procurement of more units for islandwide coverage.

“When we place these in rural communities, we will use the mobile truck to access those communities because traditional large trucks will not be able to access those areas,” he said.