I have always known Unipet to be a responsible and professional company. Their actions today means things have reached an unbearable point. I know that many stations under the NP banner are in the same situation but I suspect they are wary of the repercussions of any protest. The situation has reached this point because of the increase in Business Levy and Green Fund Levy in 2016 and the increase in the price of fuel at the pump in the last four years. The increased levies have eaten away at what profits the stations were making. At the same time costs have increased - security, insurance, labour, regulatory compliance etc. These factors combine to make service stations un-economic. The bigger issue is the risk to the entire fuel distribution network of two wholesalers (NP and Unipet) and the 140 stations (115 NP and 25 Unipet). Add to this the uncertainty around the future of Paria Fuel Trading and you have the making of a situation that places the population and the economy at serious risk.

In an effort to reduce our operating costs, Unipet and some members of the Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA) cut back their operations today with gas stations scheduled to re-open on Wednesday 29th October at 6:00 am. This is in an attempt to trim operating costs which have been severely impinged by the Regulator not providing sustainable margins to the industry.

​Non-Unipet stations are able to approach the regulator to make up any shortfall in operating cost they may experience but as independent operators, there is no coverage for our shortfall and we are left with no option but to reduce our operations. We sincerely apologize to our customers but are left with no other options. The future viability of the liquid petroleum industry is in the hands of the regulator who has all the information with regard to the changes that are necessary to make the model sustainable.

NP has been made aware of a report circulating on social media regarding the proposed shutdown of fuel operations on Tuesday 2019 October 29th by some Service Stations.

NP wishes to advise the public that our operations are running as normal and that we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that a continuous and reliable supply of fuel is delivered across the country.
In fact, as of today, 2019 October 28, the placing of orders for the purchase of all liquid fuel products continued unabated, with deliveries to Service Stations taking place today as scheduled, and others being scheduled for tomorrow, based on orders received from our Dealers.

Furthermore, NP advises that there is no need for consumers to panic- buy since this will only serve to cause fuel shortages at the pump. NP assures the public that all liquid fuels will continue to be available at Service Stations throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

As the largest Service Station network operator in Trinidad and Tobago, NP remains committed to providing a reliable and convenient supply of quality fuel to our valued customers and communities.

With the passage of Tropical Wave 58 on Monday into Tuesday, and Tropical Wave 59 Friday into Saturday, we are forecasting a relatively wet week ahead. But these showers and Thunderstorms will be isolated to scattered during the passages of the Tropical Waves and mostly isolated Wednesday and Thursday, interrupting partly cloudy skies and favoring the afternoon hours. There are no tropical threats to T&T as of today’s tropical update.

On Monday, showers are forecast to begin interrupting partly cloudy skies mainly after 2am, continuing through the morning across both islands. By the late morning, near 11am, heavier showers and Thunderstorms are forecast, mainly across Northern and Western Trinidad continuing through the afternoon, with isolated to scattered showers and periods of light rain. Conditions are forecast to become settled by the late afternoon into the evening, with a few isolated showers ongoing across Eastern halves of both islands.

Similar conditions are forecast on Tuesday, with slightly more isolated showers and Thunderstorms, and you may see a bit more sun! Monday is forecast to be the wetter of the two days.

On Wednesday and Thursday, an initially clear morning, at times with a few isolated showers during the pre-dawn through dawn will lead to a hot and sunny late morning. By midday, isolated showers and thunderstorms may develop across the Western halves of mainly Trinidad, but also Tobago as well as hilly areas. Thunderstorms may favor Western coastal Trinidad during the afternoon hours.

Moisture ahead of Tropical Wave 59 is forecast to begin moving across the islands on Thursday, but much of the activity of this wave is forecast to occur on Friday (the wetter of the two days) into Saturday. Similar to Monday, showers are forecast to begin interrupting partly cloudy skies mainly after 2am, continuing through the morning across both islands. By the late morning, near 11am, heavier showers and Thunderstorms are forecast, mainly across Northern and Western Trinidad continuing through the afternoon, with isolated to scattered showers and periods of light rain. Conditions are forecast to become settled by the late afternoon into the evening, with a few isolated showers ongoing across Eastern halves of both islands.

Activity will be isolated to scattered, with no widespread severe weather forecast. However, with all Thunderstorms and heavy showers, there is the possibility of Street Flooding and gusty winds.

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This song was inspired by many things that have happened in my life since releasing my last album. I want people to feel hope and to know you will come out the other side stronger and a better version of yourself.