Bad gas & the weed-whacking project

So just when things started turning up for the small informal income generating project from the latter part of last year for some eight MSM and a bisexual woman comes this obstacle of sorts. If we thought that the bad gas complaints only affected motor vehicles or even marine machinery and boats then think again.

Only this morning I had a long chat with two of the men involved in the MSM weed whacking project who said they were out of commission for over a week as their whacker motors have been hit by the ‘gum’ that is said to be the major challenge in the petrol being sold. Only in the week passed on CVM TV news one reporter whose car had issues did a follow up report from the mechanic shop and said his car was fixed for now but he was also taught how to detect the gum in the gas be it 87 or 90 grade.

He was instructed to open the gas line under the bonnet and drain some of the gas and observe for solids at the base of the container or other obvious impurities to determine of the gas is ok. The fellas of the WW project also said they too have been carefully examining the gas they buy by the gallon bottle prior to pouring it in the machines as of late so as to avoid the engine trouble. Repairs have been effected by removing the gas bottle, hoses and such and cleaning them while using other tricks of the trade to remove stuck gum and other solids that impede the machine’s operations.

Other cutters from in and around the area have been complaining as well but of course if motorists as it now stands cannot get any reprieve and all kinds of dodgery have been employed to deflect true responsibility then why or who would pay attention to some little whacker men who try to earn a bread whilst gas prices despite a $US30/barrel oil are still at an all time high; as much as $JA129/litre. The men have had to contend with a protracted drought last year blocking business, defective equipment and finally settling on a residence with a shot in the arm at the end of 2015 from the interfaith church group who have been there from the start making a donation from a fundraising penny concert they hosted for that and other proceeds.

Nationally we have had to suffer the insolence of a near implacable chairman on the bureau of standards, shifting of blame and now instead of dropping the cause of this where it belongs in terms of the gas marketers distribution system and not gas stations in particular tax payers have to now foot the bill in terms of complaints with evidence of damage.

What if world oil prices go up or return to the $US80/barrel added to that are the taxes our finance minister has levied on the item? Not to mention the misguided hedge for insurance purposes on the same $80/barrel only for us to loose out in the end.

Why should tax payers be made to pay for this when it is the profit making companies who see no wrong at work and a Petcom who are interested in same making money than being fair.

Mi vex as you can see and we are close to an election; devoid of any serious discussion on the plans and jockeying for airtime as both traditional media and new media. The PNP machinery has now told us they are going to host three press conferences until the election yet they are mum on other issues; or a post cabinet press briefing is no press briefing at all but a mere read down of what cabinet has decided and we should all swallow it.

With the steady light rainfall daily since the beginning of the year shrubbery growth out to be good for the whackers hence future business as the trade is very fickle and is also dependent on money as more and more persons literally chop their yards with machetes sometimes to cut down on costs. The discussion on Nationwide radio on February 4 with the head of the Bureau of Standards (BSJ) and other players in the industry and it all sounded well rehearsed and stuff given that the BSJ chairman had all but rubbished the reports when they first came to light by the very same radio station; only for him to run into his own vehicle meeting the fate that taxi drivers and others including the opposition leader who were both left with thousands of dollars of costs in wrecker fees and repairs.

Others with newer vehicles whose warranties are not up at least are spared the horror of an unexpected bill especially at this time of the year.

I hope the fellas can bounce back soon and continue earning their way to some stability. Discussions are on the way to replicate this activity in another parish to see if it will work but funds are low for now.

Walk good

Peace & tolerance

H