Gas shortage in NY brought back memories of “dark days” in Guyana

 Dear Editor,
Guyanese Americans reminisced about gas shortage in their homeland in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy. Their lives were disrupted not just by the storm itself but the after effects, like gas shortage. Gas rationing is officially over in New York City, and what a relief it has been for the Guyanese community in Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn, infact all over the city, to have unrestricted amounts of fuel so they can carry on with their business. Gas rationing was one effect of superstorm Sandy that devastated the U. S. Northeast, and people were upset at not being able to drive around freely and having to worry about fuel. What an impact gas shortage had on New York Guyanese.
Overhearing Guyanese in conversations, the NY gas shortage brought back memories to them of gas scarcity in Guyana during the 1970s and 1980s. Indeed, those on long snaking lines reminisced about their terrible experiences during those dark days of having to line up for everything. As in Guyana, people lined for hours and even overnight for gasoline. Some cars were parked in lines for days.
No one had anticipated the impact of Sandy on the gas pump, so people did not bother to fill up before the storm. And immediately after the storm, people were advised not to go outdoors because of the dangers posed by fallen live electric wires, manholes, floods and fallen trees. So for days, just before and immediately after the storm, there was little demand for gas. Then when Sandy’s danger subsided, there was a mad rush at the gas stations which quickly ran out of fuel. There were separate long lines for individuals with storage containers whose vehicles may have shut down for lack of gas. There were frustrated sighs everywhere.
It was a citywide problem and in all communities. The fights for gas, prompted stations to call in the police. Whenever a station got fuel delivery, the police were called in to regulate lines–first come first served, and to calm frayed nerves. Some stations raised their prices and many employees lost income when their stations were closed.
Deliveries of Guyanese products were held up, as vegetables and fruits rotted. One truck driver of a Guyanese wholesale business said he was willing to pay US$ 10 a gallon for fuel so he could make his company’s deliveries to reduce losses and also keep his job. The gas shortage had a tremendous impact on the Guyanese American community, quite similar to what occurred in the 1970s and 80s in Guyana.

Yours,
Vishnu Bisram