Gov't orders closure of petrol pumps at 17 stations over bad gas

The government has ordered the closure of petrol pumps at 17 gas stations across Jamaica by midnight, after tests proved they have been dispensing contaminated gas. 

Scientists from the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) have been ordered to serve the closure notices, which if breached, would trigger an immediate shutdown.

The gas stations were not named but are in seven parishes.

Kingston and St Andrew - seven

St James - three 

Clarendon - three 

Manchester - two 

St Catherine - one

St Thomas - one

The closure order was announced late this afternoon at a press conference at the New Kingston headquarters of the Energy Ministry.

Chairman of the BSJ, Professor Winston Davidson, says other gas stations may be identified as more test results are to be finalised between tomorrow and Thursday.

Up to today 83% of the gas stations sampled had contaminated gas.

Complaints from motorists about bad gas being sold to them, forced Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell to order an islandwide testing of gas.

Paulwell has threatened criminal sanctions and fines.