Fuel supply normalises after disruption triggers panic buying

Fuel supplies across Georgetown returned to normal on Tuesday after a delayed shipment caused temporary disruptions in supply on Monday.
Service stations in the capital and other areas across the country were operating normally, with no restrictions on sales reported, following a short-term supply delay affecting one importer.
At Guyoil’s Kitty Public Road station, operations had resumed smoothly after the previous day’s congestion, an employee said, adding that business had returned to normal levels.
At a Rubis station on Vlissengen Road, staff also reported calm operations and said there was no need for rationing or purchase limits. The employee cautioned customers against using inappropriate containers for fuel storage, citing safety risks.
Russel Viera, a customer, said service at gas stations had improved significantly compared with the previous day, adding that Guyoil provided the best service in his observation, though he noted that the Rubis station appeared to have heavier traffic.
The disruption had led to increased traffic at several stations on Monday as motorists rushed to secure fuel amid uncertainty over supplies.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips said in a statement on Monday that the disruption stemmed from a delay affecting one supplier, but said importers had since confirmed that the situation was expected to stabilise quickly. He added that additional consignments had already arrived, with more shipments scheduled for later in the week.
Phillips urged the public to avoid panic buying and hoarding, stressing that adequate fuel supplies were entering the system. He also warned against unsafe fuel storage practices, noting that petroleum products are highly flammable and can pose serious risks if mishandled.
The government said it would continue to monitor fuel availability and take necessary measures to ensure a stable nationwide supply.