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Following an apparent calm observed in the neighborhoods around the Varreux Terminal, which had turned into battlefields, where armed groups had been firing for over two weeks.
Following an apparent calm observed in the neighborhoods around the Varreux Terminal, which had turned into battlefields where armed groups had been firing for over two weeks, the transport of petroleum products to gas stations in the metropolitan area has slowly resumed over the past 48 hours, according to the president of the National Association of Gas Station Owners (ANAPROSS), Marc André Dériphonse, who was invited this Friday, June 26, on the airwaves of Magik 9.
“For more than a week, all activities were at a standstill at the Varreux Terminal due to clashes between two armed groups in the area. There has been some improvement over the past two days, and transporters have cautiously resumed their routes. Gradually, drivers will get back to work. Already, there is less pressure at gas stations,” said Marc André Dériphonse, stressing that to his knowledge, there have been no human casualties among petroleum product transporters. However, the president of ANAPROSS reported that material losses have been recorded in the oil sector, including the explosion of a truck following the impact of a projectile. He made it clear that the truck was empty at the time of impact.
Regarding the Thor Terminal in Carrefour, the president of ANAPROSS stated that it is still operating. However, he pointed out that this terminal is unable to supply gas stations in the metropolitan area because the roads leading to the Greater South and downtown Port-au-Prince are blocked. “The petroleum products that arrive at this terminal are now destined for provincial towns. Transport is done by sea. Boats carry the trucks to the South or to the North,” said Marc André Dériphonse.
During this interview, the question of gas prices in provincial towns was brought up. The president of ANAPROSS acknowledges that fuel prices are higher in provincial towns because of the extra costs involved in ensuring the availability of petroleum products there. “It’s hard to set a price on oil in provincial towns. Everyone does what they can to make sure the product gets to the provinces,” said Mr. Dériphonse, noting that the situation would be even more complicated if petroleum products didn’t make it to these towns.The current government has adjusted fuel prices three times. The first time was an increase, and the other two times were decreases. Each time, they announced prices that were supposed to apply nationwide. In reality, making sure fuel is available across the whole country, especially in smaller cities, is unlikely. So, given this reality, prices end up varying from one province to another.
