Amid a continuing fuel crisis in Tonga's northern islands of Vava'u, where petrol shortages have continued for weeks, the government issued a statement today telling consumers that the supply disruption for petrol in Vava'u "is directly due to delays experienced by Pacific Energy in its replacement of the normal Local Costal Tanker with a bigger vessel."

However, nothing was mentioned as to why the normal Local Coastal Tanker, which last supplied Vava’u on 18 August, was not continuing the service until the bigger vessel arrives.

The statement issued late this afternoon from the Ministry of Commerce, Consumer, Trade, Innovation and Labour, followed meetings of the Tonga Competent Authority this week to discuss the fuel crisis.

They said that they had been told by the Pacific Energy Country Manager Paula Taufa that arrangements to clear a bigger tanker in Suva took longer than anticipated, which was causing the disruptions to its supply of petroleum not only to Tongatapu and Vava’u but including other Pacific Islands.

New supplies are over a week away. “The next shipment is now expected to arrive next weekend firstly to discharge in Nuku’alofa, then Vava’u and the supply of petroleum products will be back to normal,” the Ministry stated. 

The Comeptent Authority had required Pacific Energy to formally submit a written conifmation of the cause of the shortage and a reply was received today.

According the the Ministry, Paula had advised them that "measures were taken to mitigate the situation by supplying tanktainers from New Zealand dispatched to Tongatapu, which incurred huge costs to the company. Unfortunately we cannot operate the same for Vava’u."

The Tonga Competent Authority had expressed its dissatisfaction to Pacific Energy regarding the implication of their decision and subsequent impact on Vava’u.

The Ministry of Commerce, Consumer, Trade, Innovation and Labour stated the Competent Authority further required urgent written notification from the company of any such occurrence and that a contingency plan should be put in place to avoid future supply problems."

Price hike

TCA stated the issue of non-compliance was raised with businesses selling the little fuel available in Vava’u at a higher price and those operating without appropriate business licenses.

“The public is advised that approved prices for petrol to Vava’u for September to October is $2.33 per litre. Retailers of petrol are urged to comply with the approved prices.”

Those operating without proper business licenses had been notified.

"TCA Committee will closely monitor the price for consumers".

Chairman of TCA and Minister Hon Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa said the safety issues on distribution and handling of petroleum in Vava’u and transporting of drums on the local ferries to ensure safety for all is of great importance to TCA and must not be ignored.

Crisis

Meamnwhile, Calvin Schumaker the President of the Vava’u Tourism Association told Matangi Tonga this morning they are still in crisis mode, which includes seeing a drastic increase in the price of petrol that is left over.

He said some people were charging $4.50 pa’anga per litre. "However, this is not the Vaitohi gas station," he said.

Before the Competent Authority's statement this afternoon, Calvin said they had received no official word from either Pacific Energy or Government.

"The only gas station that can sell the little bit of gas is being hassled from both ends (Government and Pacific) for selling gas of a different company and raising prices to cover cost of transportation. Without Vaitohi Gas Station we would be in incredible trouble here but with the help of a select few we are barely making it. However, I feel it won't be enough as we are getting worse and worse off," he said.