Fuel prices skyrocket in Mahdia as Linden unrest prolongs

Fuel prices have soared in the mining community of Mahdia, Region Eight as a result of the Linden unrest, which began more than eight days ago. A barrel of fuel which previously cost Gy$50,000 is now being sold for Gy$70,000, putting additional pressure on its citizens.
Region Eight Regional Executive Officer Ronald Harsaywack, in a telephone interview on Sunday, disclosed that due to the prolonged protest in Linden, there has been high demand for gasoline, and as such, there were none available up to Sunday morning.

He noted that based on the present situation, the power company in Mahdia which provided 12 hours of electricity to its customers was forced to cut all power supply since Thursday.
Harsaywack said since there has been a gasoline shortage in the region, internal shuttle services have been decreased, as only diesel vehicles are operating and there are not many such vehicles. This has significantly affected persons living in various outlying areas in the region. “This would mean that persons cannot get their food supplies and other necessities to their respective communities,” he added.
The price of food has also risen and the possibility exists that there will be a shortage. The official noted that if the Linden issue is not addressed speedily, there will be chaos in Mahdia.
The present situation in Linden, he disclosed, will also affect commuters, underscoring the need for Mahdia residents to travel to Georgetown to transact their businesses. “For them to have access to Georgetown, they have to use an airplane which is costly and more obviously will put a dent in their pockets; and more importantly, not all the time there are available seats on the aircraft that traverse the route,” the regional official said.
He is, however, concerned that the present situation will also affect large-scale miners who depend on fuel and food items from Georgetown. Harsaywack said that they are already feeling the squeeze, since their mineral production has drastically decreased. He also explained that the lack of fuel will affect him in the performance of his duties, since he cannot travel to various locations to oversee key projects that are being carried out if there is no gasoline. He added that since the electricity supply is down, office work will also be tremendously affected.
The situation also has implications for the community’s health; in a case of a health emergency, the region has to contact the Health Ministry which will make arrangements for a medivac to transport the injured to the city, Harsaywack said.
He explained that once the problem is solved in Linden, it will take about three days for things to return to normalcy.
Region Nine is also similarly affected by the protest. The region’s regional executive officer, Claire Singh stated that their electricity supply has been cut by six hours a day due to fuel shortage. Singh noted that if there is a demand for fuel in the region, the alternative will be to source it from Brazil which would be more expensive than sourcing it from Georgetown.
She explained that public transportation to and from Lethem has ceased their operations not only because of the Linden protest but because gasoline prices have risen.
Person desirous of travelling to Georgetown, Singh noted, have no alternative but to book a seat on a flight which cost Gy$21,000 to Gy$25,000 one-way compared to Gy$12,000 by land.
In case of an emergency, she highlighted that the relatives of the patient will have to foot the expenses of travelling by air or the patient is taken to Brazil by an ambulance. Both Harsaywack and Singh are optimistic that the Linden protest will come to an end soon and things will return to normalcy in their respective regions.