Browne Announces New WIOC Gas Stations as Dealers Strike Again

As gas station operators take industrial action once again, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced plans for new WIOC service stations, signalling a push to ensure motorists have alternative access to fuel during future shutdowns.

In a Facebook post Wednesday morning, Browne said he has directed the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) to invest in additional storage tanks along with gasoline and diesel pumps.

“New gas stations coming,” Browne wrote, saying the move is intended to mitigate against what he described as the threat of the gas station “oligopoly” locking down the country to force an increase in dealer margins.

The announcement comes as service station operators are again taking action over the longstanding dispute surrounding the margins they earn on fuel sales.

Dealers previously staged industrial action in September, temporarily closing several stations and triggering long lines at the limited locations that remained open. The stations reopened after discussions with Browne and an agreement for their concerns to be reviewed.

At the time, Browne acknowledged that the concerns raised by operators were not unreasonable. A special review committee was expected to examine the possibility of increasing the dealers’ margin from 12 per cent to 15 per cent, taking into account labour costs, banking charges and other operating expenses.

The renewed action now comes as motorists are already paying considerably more at the pumps. Gasoline increased to EC$17.99 per gallon on October 2, its second increase in just over a month and EC$3.49 higher than the EC$14.50 price in place before September.

Browne has not yet disclosed how many new WIOC stations will be established, where they will be located or when they are expected to begin operating.