At press time tonight, the Central American Butane companies, Gas Tomza, Belize Western Energy Limited (BWEL), and Zeta Gas continue to strike against the Government of Belize (GOB) by not selling butane to the country.
GOB has refused to arrange a meeting with them because the butane companies continue to ignore the Statutory Instrument (SI) which requires them to have authenticated scales on all their trucks and at all their depots for butane distribution.
As a result of both sides not giving ground at this point, other companies such as Belize Gas Limited, Western Gas Limited, and Belize Natural Energy (BNE) have stepped into the breach and continue to supply local retailers with butane imported from Mexico.
The local retailers have been attempting to keep Belizean customers properly fueled. The butane from Mexico is a bit pricier, but industry representatives say that it is a better product with a higher grade.
The Supplies Control Unit (SCU) in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Consumer Protection has issued a press release which outlines controlled prices for butane dependent on its source. It appears below – (M) is for Mexico.
LPG imported from Central America – Belize City, $126, (M) $134; Belmopan, $128, (M) $136; San Ignacio, $128, (M) $136; Benque, $129, (M) $137; Orange Walk, $127, (M) $135;Corozal, $126, (M) $134; Dangriga, $130, (M) $138; Punta Gorda, $131, (M) $139.
The SCU advises the public to remain vigilant with regards to these established prices, and asks that any inconsistencies found be reported to them via telephone number 1-800-2-TELL-US (1-800-283-5587).