The Service Station Owner Dealers Association (ODA) is advocating for a major overhaul of fuel subsidy distribution in Trinidad and Tobago, following alarming revelations from the recent Auditor General’s report. The association expressed that it is unsurprised by the report’s findings, which identified irregularities such as missing documentation that calls into question the accountability of public fund expenditures.
Currently, fuel subsidies are funneled through wholesale distributors, a process the ODA argues creates unnecessary layers that dilute the intended benefits for citizens. To enhance transparency and accountability, the association is proposing that subsidies be paid directly to Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited, a move they believe would streamline the process.
In addition to the distribution concerns, the ODA raised issues regarding the lack of accessible data on fuel subsidies. A Freedom of Information request for specific details about subsidies per litre and fuel import volumes over a fifteen-year span was unsuccessful, raising concerns about record-keeping and oversight within the industry.
The ODA also pointed out that ongoing challenges include allegations of service stations being billed for fuel that was never delivered, as well as financial difficulties that have led to closures in recent years. With multiple legal disputes currently pending between dealers and distributors, the ODA emphasizes that service station operators bear significant financial risk while feeling disadvantaged by the existing system. They are now urging the government to consider legislative reforms to modernize the retail fuel sector and ensure more effective management of public funds.
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