Residents in Lethem, Region Nine, may now have to look to neighbouring Brazil to source fuel as the condition of the Hunt Oil section of the Linden/Lethem road continues to prevent large vehicles from entering the town.
Extreme weather in the Rupununi over the last month has caused severe deterioration of roads, putting a strain on the transportation of goods and services in and out of the region.
Reports reaching this newspaper indicate that the road at Hunt Oil, which is located about 50 miles away from Lethem, remains impassable due to major erosion.
As a result, residents are now faced with a fuel shortage and will be forced to spend more money to source fuel from Bom Fin as the impassable state of the Hunt Oil section has resulted in fuel trucks coming from Georgetown being stalled at Annai, North Rupununi.
Stabroek News was told that those who cannot afford the price would be forced to park their vehicles until gasoline is once again available in Lethem.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson has said that remedial works are underway, while imploring residents to be patient as the works will be completed soon.
Meanwhile, Regional Vice-Chairman Karl Singh told this newspaper that the lack of gasoline in Lethem has caused three gas stations in the township to suspend operations. He further noted that as off yesterday morning, the Takutu Gas station was forced to retail only $3,000 worth of gasoline per person. Additionally, the Lethem Power Company (LPC) now has a one-week supply of fuel left since the truck transporting its’ supplies is also stranded in Annai.
Last week, Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock told Stabroek News his hopes of having the truck making its way to Lethem by the end of this week.
However, if this cannot be achieved, Allicock noted that the regional administration was already looking at possibly sourcing fuel from Brazil once the requisite permission is granted by the Government of Guyana.
In the meantime, Singh says the administration continues to hope that the truck is able to arrive in Lethem before the fuel supply at the LPC is exhausted.
Residents in Lethem, Region Nine, may now have to look to neighbouring Brazil to source fuel as the condition of the Hunt Oil section of the Linden/Lethem road continues to prevent large vehicles from entering the town.
Extreme weather in the Rupununi over the last month has caused severe deterioration of roads, putting a strain on the transportation of goods and services in and out of the region.
Reports reaching this newspaper indicate that the road at Hunt Oil, which is located about 50 miles away from Lethem, remains impassable due to major erosion.
As a result, residents are now faced with a fuel shortage and will be forced to spend more money to source fuel from Bom Fin as the impassable state of the Hunt Oil section has resulted in fuel trucks coming from Georgetown being stalled at Annai, North Rupununi.
Stabroek News was told that those who cannot afford the price would be forced to park their vehicles until gasoline is once again available in Lethem.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson has said that remedial works are underway, while imploring residents to be patient as the works will be completed soon.
Meanwhile, Regional Vice-Chairman Karl Singh told this newspaper that the lack of gasoline in Lethem has caused three gas stations in the township to suspend operations. He further noted that as off yesterday morning, the Takutu Gas station was forced to retail only $3,000 worth of gasoline per person. Additionally, the Lethem Power Company (LPC) now has a one-week supply of fuel left since the truck transporting its’ supplies is also stranded in Annai.
Last week, Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock told Stabroek News his hopes of having the truck making its way to Lethem by the end of this week.
However, if this cannot be achieved, Allicock noted that the regional administration was already looking at possibly sourcing fuel from Brazil once the requisite permission is granted by the Government of Guyana.
In the meantime, Singh says the administration continues to hope that the truck is able to arrive in Lethem before the fuel supply at the LPC is exhausted.
