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Fuel shortage on Rota becoming acute
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Posted on Aug 30 2004
Due to rough seas, Mobil Marianas’ oil tanker has not arrived to replenish Rota’s fuel supply, prompting authorities to resort to rationing of two gallons per two days for private users.
For the government, Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona said that fuel sale is on a “case by case basis” so as not to hamper typhoon recovery efforts.
Manglona said the fuel supply on Rota right now would only last for two to three days.
“There is no ample supply of fuel so I declared a local emergency here asking people to cooperate in the rationing,” he said.
Manglona said Mobil’s shipment is expected to arrive this week. If this does not work out, he said he would be forced to ask for the military’s help to airlift fuel to the island.
“The other alternative is to appeal to the military. I’ll try. My job is to ensure that we have fuel here,” he said.
This comes even as another tropical condition, Songda, has intensified into a typhoon, which could hit the islands this week.
“That’s just very counterproductive,” said Manglona.
Meantime, Mobil spokesperson Cecil Bamba-Suda said yesterday that oil tanker Golden Micronesia will again attempt to enter the Rota port this Thursday.
“The tanker didn’t arrive last Friday. We expect to have it this Thursday if weather conditions permit,” said Bamba-Suda.
She reiterated that Tinian and Saipan have no fuel supply problem.
Earlier, Bamba-Suda said that Mobil had reserve gasoline and diesel fuel on Rota and Tinian “for the government’s emergency needs to ensure recovery efforts are not restricted.”
Manglona yesterday said he was not aware of any fuel reserve on the island. “We just know that what is left is good only for two or three days,” he said.
Rota was heavily hit by Supertyphoon Chaba early last week, destroying crops, houses, and several infrastructures.
The continued rough sea condition adds to Rota’s vulnerability to food and fuel shortage.
Reports said that fuel companies on Guam have tried but failed to send emergency supply to Rota due to the bad sea condition.
