HEAVEN
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.
