Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

The Government is warning that it will be clamping down on illegal suppliers of petroleum products.

Clive Mullings, Minister of Energy, says a special force will be established to crack down on the illegal operators.

"This will be a tall order because gas is sold illegally in many areas in this country," he said. "It is now an open secret, but we do so risking the lives of our people."

Mullings was speaking at a long-service award function for Industrial Gases Limited (IGL) at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, on Saturday night.

The Energy Minister said it is important that the public help in the drive against illegal gas suppliers.

"The society knows who they are, but we have failed to bell the cat and we fail to do so at our peril," he said.

It is estimated that there are more than 100 illegal gas distribution points in Kingston and St. Andrew alone.

Over the last nine years, more than 20 petroleum-related accidents were reported. Several premises were also destroyed as a result of fires which started at illegal service stations.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com