Gas station dealers mulling shut down

FROM PAGE A24 now. We came to the table in good faith with the Government, but the Government to this point is just ignoring us.”

Admitting that the Government “never made any promises” to the BPDA, Mr Bastian added: “The Government said they will look at everything but they didn’t make any promises to anybody. We came to them with our concerns when the price of fuel was $7.39 last August, and we told the Government that this is our position and we need them to intervene.

“We asked the Government to sit around the table and let’s negotiate this and make some adjustments from where we sit. We are asking the Government, at the end of the day, that if we can’t make a profit, then let us break even and that’s where we’re at.”

While there are no immediate plans for gas station closures at present because many operators tend to “survive in spite of” the industry’s business model, Mr Bastian cannot say for certain how long this would last. “We are now at a point where we are unified and the people of this industry have said that enough is enough, and I hope we don’t have to shut down for a day or two. I really hope we don’t because that is the straw that will break the camel’s back,” he said.

NOTICE is hereby given that ROSELANDE JOSUE of Sandilands Village Road, New Providence, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22nd day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

“I’ve always been opposing shut downs in my position as vice-president, and I have encouraged my members to now look at that as an option where we will inconvenience the motoring public and even ourselves to a certain degree. That is not the way to go. But right now my members are using profanity at me to shut down these stations, and I am telling them that under no circumstances do I want to do this, but if my hands are tied then I have to go along with the majority.” Gas stations are facing a variety of current and future cost hikes that they have to meet from fixed gas and diesel margins. With those margins lacking any flexibility, gross profits and other financial indicators are shrinking. The minimum wage increase and attendant National Insurance Board (NIB) cost increase has hit dealers hard, increasing their wage bill, and they also face the upcoming hike in Bahamas

Notice

NOTICE is hereby given that JAMESON JACQUES of Collies Avenue, Kennedy Sub, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 1st day of March, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

and Eleuthera, where additional workers are required. We’re encouraging people, whether they are semiskilled or fully skilled in the construction industry, to register with us as employment opportunities are coming up.”

Mr Farquharson said the Department of Labour plans to hold another ‘Labour on the Blocks’ job fair in Fox Hill in June, and another in Grand Bahama in May. To those attending this Saturday’s event, he added: “I want job seekers to come prepared with official documents, their resume prepared, and come prepared to be interviewed.

Power & Light (BPL) bills via the fuel charge.

Turnover-based Business Licence fees are also due by end-March 2022.

Last year’s oil price spike following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine meant dealers revenues increased, due to higher gas prices, but their profits did not alter because of the fixed margins. As a result, they are now faced with paying much higher Business Licence fees to the Government, with several calling for the fixed margins to be adjusted to a percentage.

The only two factors that the Government can influence are the taxes it earns per gallon of gas and diesel sold, which are understood to be around a flat $1.10 plus 10 percent VAT, and the retailers’ fixed, price-controlled margins that have made the industry a volume-driven business. Retailers currently earn

“Come dressed for the occasion. If you don’t have the necessary dress, come to the Department of Labour and we will help them with the attire to be properly dressed. Take advantage of the opportunities and get yourself prepared. If you come to the job fair and don’t find a job, we have the opportunity for you to be trained. We have the National Training Agency, where you can register free of charge, and BTVI. Not only can you find employment, but you have the opportunity to enter the labour market.” a fixed $0.54 per gallon margin on gasoline, and $0.34 for diesel. These figures do not change when gas prices go up, meaning that gas stations face having to pay the wholesalers - Rubis, Esso (Sol Petroleum) and Shell (FOCOL Holdings)more to purchase their fuel inventory despite their own net per gallon revenue staying the same. The increased turnover thus results in gas stations paying higher Business Licence fees while revenues remain the same, helping to push gross margins in some instances below 10 percent. Retailers still have to pay staff, rent and other expenses from that depressed gross margin, with the increased cost of fuel straining cash flows and credit lines. Increased use of the latter also results in higher bank fees and such like.

Notice

NOTICE is hereby given that YOLETTE FRANCOIS of Rock Crusher Road off Farrington Road, New Providence, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 22nd day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

Notice

NOTICE is hereby given that ATKINS JEAN-LOUIS of Windsor Lane, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 1st day of March, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that

ASHONTE HART of Church Hill Road, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22nd day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that DENO MERONE of Hospital Lane, Bain Town, New Providence, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22nd day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.