For the first half of the year, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has recorded a 76% increase in illegal fuel seized.
According to a press release issued by the agency, for the period of January to June of 2016, the Fuel Marking Division seized 6,200 gallons of fuel although it added that while the amount of illegal fuel seized has increased, the number of confirmed incidents has decreased, with there being 15 recorded incidents for the period as compared to 22 from last year.
It said too that the increase in the seized fuel was due to two large seizures that occurred earlier in the year at Mahaica and in the Pomeroon and which are still currently being investigated.
The release noted that for the period, the Marking Section of the Division marked 107 shipments of fuel that were legally imported.
It added that the Inspection Unit also saw an increase in the number of sites visits and samples collected.
“The agency’s laboratory analyzed a total of 23, 251 samples for the first half of this year, as compared with 20, 926 for the same period last year,” the release said, while pointing out that the results of the analysis indicated that even though more samples are being taken and tested, the amount of significant dilution of the fuel marker remains under 3%, which is a testament to the effectiveness of the programme since from its inception dilution has decreased from 34% in 2006.
The statement said the work of the inspectors of the division is supplemented by the support of sister agencies on the Task Force on Fuel Smuggling and Contraband, which is made up of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard, the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit. So far for the year, 16 joint operations have been conducted with the various agencies.
“The inspectorate, using strategic sampling and monitoring activities and maintaining a permanent present in Regions 2, 7, and 10 continues to effectively discharge its duties, greatly aiding in the curbing of the scourge of fuel snuggling,” the release said, while adding that GEA continues to closely monitor reports of fuel smuggling activities.
In terms of the prosecution of persons who illegally smuggled fuel, the release pointed out that seven charges for the offence of possession of illegal fuel were instituted, which was an increase from just the five that were recorded last year.
As of June 30, there were six prosecutions currently before the courts.
The release added that while there is a need to resolve incidents without reverting to “sometimes lengthy legal proceedings while maintaining a punitive element in determination,” the GEA continues to accept compensation from offenders in accordance with the law, and for the first half of the year, a sum of $1,214,500 was accepted in three separate incidents. The amount of compensation accepted has increased from last year, and in keeping with the law, was paid into the Consolidated Fund.
“The Fuel Marking Division has always striven to execute its mandate in an effective, efficient and equitable manner. The task of maintaining an effective programme, however, requires the assistance of members of the public,” the release said, while encouraging persons who have information or knowledge of suspected fuel smuggling activities to contact the GEA on 226-4424, EXT 239, 204, 227 or 629-3391.
