The
Jamaica Gleanner
Kingston
Petroleumworld.com
03 19 06
THE
JAMAICA Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA) yesterday postponed
planned actions to shut down the petroleum retail trade, following
a meeting with Commerce Minister Phillip Paulwell.
According
to JGRAPresident Trevor Heaven, the association has decided
to put on hold its response to the pricing policy dispute pending
the outcome of a meeting planned for today involving Esso's
management, Mr. Paulwell and Labour Minister Horace Dalley.
VICTIMISATION
OF DEALERS
For
his part, Clive Mullings, Opposition Spokesman on Energy, said
he supports claims by the JGRA that the management of Esso Standard
Oil has intensified the victimisation of dealers refusing to
operate under its current pricing policy.
"Their
(Esso) failure to comply is indicating that they are keen on
maintaining their practice, they have no interest in bringing
a resolution to the issue and they have scant regard for the
authorities of this country," he said.
Mr.
Mullings has also expressed disappointment at Government's handling
of the situation, arguing that citizens should not be mere spectators
in their own country. He added that Esso's failure to provide
a three-member board of enquiry with relevant information on
its pricing strategy must not be allowed.
He
suggested that, if there is a failure to comply to an agreement,
then the matter should be brought before the courts or the Fair
Trading Commission.
The
meeting with the Commerce Minister was called to continue talks
regarding the dispute over Esso's pricing strategy, which still
exists despite an agreement following a nine-hour meeting involving
Esso's Country Manager, Brian McFarlane, the JGRA and the Labour
Ministry last November.
