Guyanese urged to conserve on fuel amid global crisis

Apr 15, 2026 News

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…opposition hammers govt. over ‘unpreparedness’

(Kaieteur News) – Guyanese are being urged to conserve fuel as global tensions disrupt supply and trigger local shortages, forcing some service stations to shut their doors.

The crisis stems from escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has choked oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for roughly 20% of global supply.  The impact is now being felt at home. While the Government has attributed the disruption to delayed shipments and assured that supplies are on the way, opposition voices argue the response has been reactive, not proactive. Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC) and Former Minister of Public Works, David Patterson believes that the Government could be more proactive in dealing with the situation. “This is common sense… when there is a shortage you have to conserve. If there’s a water shortage, you say to people listen to me, please don’t wash your lawns. Please don’t wash, try not to wash your car every day. You give advisories to limit the use immediately. Therefore, at the gas stations no one is allowed to collect gas in containers. That’s hoarding. I mean, these are standard operating procedures. And you cut back on non-essential services.”

“You know? I mean, people can’t go and party drive up and down burning gas for leisure  in the middle of a shortage, It’s those things like that we are supposed to put a limit on non-essential travels, non-essential usages immediately because we don’t know how long this war will last and the entire world is being affected.”

Patterson pointed to the absence of proper planning and preparation by the authorities.

Patterson held that “The Government has known about this for like two weeks in advance. There are indicators by the energy agencies and they would have a good idea of how much fuel in consumed daily, weekly, and monthly. So this is no surprise… Every other country started making preparations for increased supplies which means we dropped the ball everyone, every single person in the world, every government, every agency knew you would have a fuel issue if they had not secured and maximized the reserves,” the former minister added.  He continued that in these circumstances with proper and adequate storage, government will be able to tap into reserve.

“The very first thing that governments do is maximize on the reserve. The country should be able to run for a set amount of time on the reserve. We fill your tanks and reserves and you just don’t touch those so that in the case of shortage we fall back on the reserves….There is supposed to be a much more coordinated approach  and not waiting until the fuel is running out to meet with the suppliers,” he added.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul shared similar sentiments. He noted that while the Government has indicated that it is monitoring the situation and that shipments of fuel are expected within days, there is strong reason to doubt whether those supplies will be sufficient.

“The current rush for fuel reflects not just increased demand, but panic-driven behavior, with many individuals attempting to stock up. This, in itself, raises additional concerns, as fuel is not always being stored properly, both in terms of the containers being used and the environments in which it is being kept, creating potential safety risks,” Mahipaul asserted.

He stressed that in light of global disruptions, including tensions linked to the Israeli – US – Iran conflict, it is reasonable to expect that better preparation should have been in place.  He noted that these types of international developments are not entirely unforeseen, and they demand proactive planning.

According to Mahipaul, the situation raises important questions about the structure of the fuel supply system in Guyana, particularly whether there are potential suppliers who may have sought entry into the market but were not granted licences, and whether the sector is being limited to a select few rather than being opened to greater competition and resilience.

He noted that the immediate priority must be to cushion the impact on citizens.  The Parliamentarian noted this requires improved coordination in distribution, clearer communication to avoid panic buying, and public guidance to prevent unsafe storage practices.

He noted that “Beyond the immediate response, there must be a broader strategy focused on diversifying suppliers, strengthening reserves, and building a more responsive and resilient system….There is also justified concern about the possibility of price increases.”

“Stability in fuel prices is critical at this time, and the Government should not allow increases at the pump. If necessary, consideration should be given to temporary subsidies to maintain current price levels. Any rise in cost would only place an even greater burden on hardworking Guyanese who are already feeling the strain of the shortage and heavy cost of living,” he said.

Ultimately, Mahipaul underscored this situation points to deeper issues related to planning, supply management, and public confidence.

“The impact is being felt most acutely by ordinary citizens, and it demands a careful, transparent, and decisive response. Going forward, the focus must be on ensuring fairness, strengthening systems, and preventing a recurrence of such a disruptive and costly situation.”

Leader of Forward Guyana Movement- Amanza Walton said over the past two days, “we have been receiving numerous reports from commuters across Georgetown and along key routes about sudden, unregulated increases in public transportation fares. Short drops that typically cost $100 to $120 are now being charged at $200. Routes such as Georgetown to Diamond have moved from $200 to $300. In some cases, passengers are being required to pay before boarding, and those unable to meet these fares are being turned away.”

She said this is not simply a matter of individual conduct. “It reflects the absence of clear direction, timely communication, and visible enforcement at a moment when it is most needed.” The Member of Parliament said a temporary disruption in fuel supply has now spilled over into everyday life, and the burden is falling squarely on ordinary citizens.

“In moments of disruption, people look to the system for stability. When that system is silent, uncertainty takes hold, and unfair practices follow. Governance is not only about response. It is about anticipation, coordination, and protection. At a minimum, the public deserves clarity on approved fares, active enforcement where abuses are occurring, and immediate steps to prevent temporary disruptions from becoming everyday hardship. No citizen should have to worry about whether they can afford to get home,” Walton said.

Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed also urged Guyanese to conserve on fuel for emergencies as the country faces a looming crisis. “The “No Gas” signs and closed pumps across our country speak to the government’s inability to manage our resources…”

Mohamed spoke about congested gas stations with vehicles hurrying for fuel and drivers waiting in lines just to keep their vehicles on the road. “This is not just a logistical hiccup; it is a total failure of proper oversight by the PPP.”

He said on Tuesday the WIN movement received reports of blatant rationing at the state-owned Guyoil stations, where motorists were restricted to purchases as low as $2,000. “In a nation that produces a million barrels per day, our people are being forced into a “black market” for fuel or left stranded because of poor management and a lack of transparency. Despite our oil wealth, Guyana still lacks a functional oil refinery, an obvious and urgent necessity to ensure domestic fuel security and stability. WIN demands an immediate, honest explanation from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the management of Guyoil. The government must stop the excuses, end the discriminatory rationing, and fix the supply chain before the entire economy is brought to a standstill.”

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• fuel conservation, fuel shortage, gas station, Iran war, Strait of Hormuz

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