Gov’t to address licensing process for gasolene retailers

Debbie-Ann Wright, News Editor
The Gleaner/Power106 News Centre

The Energy Ministry is looking to overhaul the licensing and registration process for gas stations as it seeks to address competitiveness in the sector.

In recent weeks, gasoline retailers have been complaining of dwindling profits with some gas stations even being forced to close.

In a release yesterday, the energy ministry stated that the number of service stations and their proximity to each other was contributing to the low margins.

It said currently the service stations are licensed by the Resident Magistrate Courts and not by the Ministry.

Energy minister Paulwell said a one-stop-shop for licensing and registration of sector participants being worked on by the government will help to resolve this problem.

President of the Jamaica gasoline Retailers’ Association, Trevor Heaven has agreed that the number of gas stations in Jamaica needs to be addressed.

In the meantime, Heaven said the JGRA has also asked the Fair Trading Commission to examine what it believes is an unfair situation in which gasoline marketing companies are also retailers.

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