Despite the boast of Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh that the Guyana Oil Company Limited (GUYOIL) is doing well financially, fuel dealers contracted to the state-run entity believe that if the current mismanagement continues, they will be forced to permanently close their operations.The mismanagement they described has resulted in many of the 36 dealer-operated stations running out of fuel supply for considerable lengths of time on several occasions.As a matter of fact this situation is currently being experienced by many GUYOIL fuel dealers, with many of them having to temporarily lay off staff.GUYOIL’s excuse is always, “The boat bringing fuel was delayed” or “There was a problem at the refinery”.This sign at one of the GUYOIL East Coast Demerara outlets is all too familiar. GUYOIL acquires fuel from refineries in Trinidad and Curacao and a time chartered oil tanker is hired to freight fuel to its storage facilities.With three terminals at Providence, East Bank Demerara; Heathburn,Krystian Bielik Arsenal Jersey UK, East Bank Berbice and Adventure, Essequibo Coast, GUYOIL enjoys a total storage capacity of approximately 90,000 barrels of fuel.Speaking at the company’s recently held 35th anniversary ceremony, Finance Minister Dr. Singh praised the entity for maintaining a high level of profit over the years.But the private contracted dealers are convinced that a hefty profit alone is not all for a company to boast that it is successful.“The Minister said that GUYOIL is doing well but GUYOIL can do better. Texaco and Sol don’t run out of fuel. Texaco is boasting that it is making money in Guyana, although it is selling fuel at a higher price,” one dealer explained.A check at the GUYOIL fuel stations along East Coast Demerara over the weekend revealed that many of them had ran out of gasoline.This, the dealers said,China Jerseys Free Shipping, is causing them to lose about $100,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping,000 everyday whenever they do not have fuel, especially with the spiraling overhead costs.“Last week we had to close for the entire week. Even the GUYOIL owned and operated stations ran out of fuel.? They are boasting about their storage capacity but they cannot even fill them at any given time,” the dealer told Kaieteur News.Most of the dealers declined to be named fearing victimization from the company.“So many excuses but they will never admit that it’s bad management. How could you charter one boat when your demand is excessive?” another dealer asked.At present, all GUYOIL stations are retailing fuel at the cheapest price when compared with both Texaco and Sol stations.This is in an effort to keep prices below $1,Brian Gionta Jersey,000 per gallon, thereby maintaining transportation cost at a manageable level for consumers.However, with GUYOIL running out of fuel on a frequent basis, providers of public transportation are forced to buy the commodity at a higher price from the other fuel companies.The dealers said that on many occasions they made attempts to meet with the senior management of the company but they are given the royal runaround.The same situation obtained when they tried to seek audience with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.The dealers said that whenever they are fortunate to get a supply of fuel, it only lasts for about two days at a time and then they have to wait for another three days for more.“The GUYOIL management don’t care about us the dealers, as long as their station have fuel, to hell with us,Brad Kaaya Jersey,” an irate GUYOIL dealer told this newspaper.Another bone of contention is the fact that the company limits the amount the dealers can sell to any one customer.“I never hear Mc Donald’s limit people to one sandwich. You can buy how much you want,” the dealer said.GUYOIL prohibits it dealers from purchasing fuel from any of the other oil company,Wholesale Air Max Tn, even if the company does not have fuel to supply them.“If we do they will say we are breaching our contract but it is they who are breaching the contract when they cannot provide us with adequate supply of fuel.”

…More attention needed in face of high mortality rate- PPP?? ?Today is World Diabetes Day under the theme, “Health Living and Diabetes.”Recently,Cheap Sittched Jerseys China, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic opposition hosted a press conference which focused on health issues facing Guyana.At that forum, shadow Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, expressed grave disappointment as he put forward his view that the new government has dropped the ball on diabetic health care and prevention. In this regard he called on the government to do more in addressing the high prevalence of diabetics in Guyana.Diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease.Dr. Anthony recalled that during the budget deliberations the PPP was asked to approve $81.2M for a chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance.He pointed out that months later,Cheap Jerseys From China, the opposition and the rest of the nation are still awaiting the outcome of that survey. Dr. Anthony told the media that he wishes to know when the survey started? Whether or not it has been completed? Where are the findings? And how were the findings being used to craft next year’s program in Chronic Non Communicable Diseases?He said that the survey is an important tool,Adidas Juuse Saros Jersey, the results of which can give a better understanding of Chronic Non Communicable diseases.Dr. Anthony told the media that it seems to him that the Ministry of Public Health has abandoned “giving serious technical leadership in these matters and is more comfortable doing walks to raise awareness.”He said that while awareness is vital, the technical work is equally or even more important.Dr. Anthony added that there is much work to be done in Diabetes. The International Diabetic Federation estimates that there are 60,000 diabetics in Guyana. Approximately 62 per 1000 persons ages 20 to 79? are diabetic and approximately 15 per 1000 person ages 20 to 79? who are diabetic remain undiagnosed.Dr. Anthony noted too, that Guyana has an estimated prevalence of 14.26 percent—one of the highest in the Caribbean with the annual mortality rate being 1,025 persons.The PPP spokesperson on health said that in order to reduce the prevalence, Guyana has to aim to reduce the incidence of new cases.? He said that one of the most effective ways is to get people to adopt a healthy lifestyle since that can prevent up to 70 percent of type2 diabetes.Dr. Anthony said that the consumption of fruits, vegetables and lean meats can help. He told the media that the Ministry of Public Health needs to move to promote healthy living.In doing,Cheap Nike Air Max 1, Dr. Anthony said that the Ministry has to provide nutritional counseling services at every hospital as well as therapy.? He said that some healthy living programs also need to be developed.Dr. Anthony also recommended an expansion of the Diabetic Foot Clinic and said that there needs to be an all-time availability of Glucometers for each diabetic patient with monthly supplies.Even further,NFL Jerseys Discount, Dr. Anthony said that the Ministry has to make available ophthalmologists services for diabetic patients.

…as international donors continually decreaseWith billions of dollars already pumped into the fight against HIV/AIDS in Guyana, the country isNAPS Programme Manager Shanti Singhplanning on increasing its allocations as international organisations are reportedly withdrawing their funds to this cause.This is according to Ministry of Health’s Parliamentary Secretary Joseph Hamilton who further said,Cheap NFL Jerseys, that the Government of Guyana has already begun looking into funding the HIV/AIDS fight from the 2015 budget.During a consultation session yesterday for the preparation of a report on HIV/AIDS, Hamilton said, “International partners are gradually removing themselves financially from the process and therefore,China Jerseys, every year the government would have to continue to take up all the slack and pay attention to this problem.”He said too that funding, whether locally or internationally, played a great role in dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He said too, that the Ministry of Health and the government of Guyana, are constantly looking into ensuring persons are committed to continue to fund activities.He went on to say that, at the level of the Ministry, the multi-billion dollar budget is expected to increase because “we will have to be paying attention financially to deal with the incidences and treatment of HIV and AIDS.”Hamilton further said that funding for the tuberculosis (TB) cause will also have to increase. HeMinistry of Health Parliamentary Secretary Joseph Hamiltonexplained that the incidence of HIV/AIDS was contributing to the incidence of TB. Though this co-infection had previously been “under control”, Hamilton emphasized that it was now necessary to find resources to pay attention to this issue.“As I would understand it also, the TB programme has its global funds withdrawing yearly in supporting activities,” Hamilton added.He continued, “The government is committed to ensuring that citizens that are affected by HIV and AIDS receive the best medical care. We have already started to plan for the new budget cycle.”Hamilton said that the information pertaining to the gradual scaling back of funds from donor partners was translated to him by Programme Manager National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr. Shanti Singh. Therefore, he said, “In the 2015 budget we will take up some of the slack to make resources available where there will be a deficiency of resources coming from our donor partners.”He emphasized that the intention is to ensure that the service usually provided to citizens increase and become better.He noted that in the beginning of Guyana’s fight against the deadly disease, there had been “great challenges” and confusion. However, he said, Guyana has come a long way and would therefore not want to suffer a regression.“The government’s intention is to have this programme become stronger and better-resourced in the future so we will not regress.”He further emphasized that the programme was making great strides amongst persons living with HIV/AIDs by reinforcing their worth to society.He noted that the programme allowed for persons living with HIV/AIDs, regardless of where they reside, to access the necessary care so they can care for themselves. He said too, that the programme allowed them to become productive citizens. “So, they do not see themselves as wards of the state,Cheap NFL Jerseys China,” Hamilton said.He continued, “We are trying to control the spread of HIV and AIDS and the incidence, and that for most persons who have contracted HIV, we have been able to put in place the necessary mechanisms…to ensure that people can live satisfying lives.”Interestingly, Hamilton’s statements come weeks after Singh declared that reports of dwindling funds for NAPS was not necessarily the true state of affairs.“I think the issue that we hear about is that there have been a significant reduction in funding but that may not necessarily be 100 per cent correct. What has happened, is that the donors have asked us to re-characterize how we will use the funds,Wholesale Hockey Jerseys China,” The NAPS Director had said during an interview with this newspaper.Dr. Singh had further said, that the programme is currently benefiting from funding from the Global Fund Project, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDs Relief (PEPFAR) Fund,Jerseys NFL Cheap, and a Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Cooperative Agreement.