The Fuel Marking Division of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has marked 107 shipments of fuel legally imported into Guyana so far for 2016.
According to a statement from the entity on Monday, “the total quantity of fuel seized also increased by 76% compared with the amount seized in 2015 being [6,200 gallons] while the number of confirmed incidents for the year stands at 15, a decrease from 22 last year.”
The quantity of fuel seized increased greatly following two large seizures in the Mahaica and Pomeroon areas, GEA said.
Investigations into these matters are ongoing.
The Inspection unit of the Agency also exceeded the previous year’s numbers for sites visited and samples collected for the same period.
The Agency says it’s laboratory analyzed a total of 23,251 samples for the first half of this year, as compared with 20,926 for the same period last year.
“Results of the analysis indicate that while more samples are being taken and tested in the laboratory, the amount of significant dilution of the fuel marker remains under 3%. This is a testament to the effectiveness of programme as from its inception this has decreased from 34% in 2006” the statement said.
For the period under review, a total of 7 charges for the offence of possession of illegal fuel were instituted which represents an increase in the total number of charges filed for the previous year where only 5 were instituted. As at June 30th, 2016, 6 prosecutions were engaging the Courts.
Recognizing the need to resolve incidents without reverting to sometimes lengthy legal proceedings while maintaining a punitive element in determination, the GEA continues to accept compensation from offenders in accordance with the Act the agency said.
For the first half of the year, the sum of $1,214,500 has been accepted in 3 incidents as compensation, exceeding the quantum received the previous year. This sum, as mandated by statute, is paid into the Consolidated Fund.
The Marking Division was made part of the GEA in 2003 following an assessment of taxation losses being incurred in the country as a result of fuel smuggling.
Fuel smuggling refers to the importation and distribution of petroleum and petroleum products, particularly petrol (gasoline) and diesel, by both legitimate and illegitimate businesses without the necessary taxes having been paid.
