THE Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) has urged all vehicle owners to maintain their vehicles due to the number of recent vehicular fires in a short period of time.

“It’s important that you regularly service and maintain the vehicles you love in order to avoid incidents such as fires or other mechanical issues,” the company said in a notice published in this newspaper. Recently, a number of vehicles have exploded and many persons have speculated that these fires were caused by the ‘new fuel’ being imported by the government through the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil). This ‘new fuel’ caused a significant reduction in the cost of motor gasoline and Gasoil (LSD), owed to the lower fuel acquisition prices.

The fires began with three occurring in two consecutive days. That number eventually climbed to five over the past month. Though there have been five recent vehicular fires, GuyOil reminded that in 2017 there were 66 fires involving vehicles, while that number was 45 in 2018.

“Vehicle fires are more common than most of us realise,” GuyOil said. According to GuyOil, there is rarely a single case for vehicular fires and instead cited that it is a combination of factors. Poor maintenance, electrical problems, overheating engines and uncertified modifications to the vehicles were listed as some of the more common causes of vehicular fires.

In fact, one mechanic, Martin John, explained to the Guyana Chronicle that it was very unlikely for the fuel to be the cause of these fires, due to the way vehicles are designed. Adding to this was one GuyOil mechanic, who wished to remain unnamed, from a Georgetown station. “It’s the same 95 Octane we sold before,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. “The only difference is that it smells more high – which is not a problem.”
In the ad published, GuyOil also urged owners to use “authorised” and “certified” mechanics.

CERTIFICATION
In another advertisement published online, GuyOil assured that it subscribes to the Global Fuel Standards as set out by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). “All imported fuel is tested at the port of loading by an independent certified laboratory,”

GuyOil shared. “All our employees who are involved with the handling of fuel are trained and adept on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in handling fuel in accordance with International Safety Management (ISM) and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.”

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Mahender Sharma, explained: “For each shipment of fuel imported by Guyoil, a certificate of quality is provided.” But even so, in light of the incidents, he disclosed that the GEA reviewed the certificates of quality from two different laboratories and was satisfied that the specifications were within the national standard for gasoline.

Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle, also shared that the vehicular fires call for persons to exercise greater diligence with their vehicles. While speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, he urged motorists to only have their vehicles repaired according to the manufacturer’s specifications and by persons who have knowledge of auto repairs. He further stressed that all motorists equip their vehicles with a small fire extinguisher to safeguard against emergencies.