December 21, 2004
The Gas Grinches Who Stole Christmas
Propane gas dealers in Nassau have committed the cardinal sin of biting the hand that feeds them. The dealers have conspired to deny the supply of a vital utility to Bahamian consumers until government allows the dealers to set their own prices.
But, it's not even about the money. It is about the thuggish mentality of the dealers. Instead of appealing to the public for assistance in getting gas prices adjusted for the current market, the selfish dealers have banded together in a conspiracy to extort the government into making the Bahamian public pay, what many consider to be, an unreasonable price for propane gas.
The arrogance of some propane dealers in the Bahamas is already well known, with BahamasB2B receiving almost weekly complaints against companies, like Bahamas Gas and Caribbean Gas, who promise delivery then take days longer to finally get to the customer's house. Complaints to many gas companies often result in rude treatment followed by, in some cases, a denial of service if the customer dares to complain about the rude service.
This "thuggish" business mentality is becoming increasingly popular in the Bahamas as many groups emulate the success of "gangster" businessmen who have made their fortunes by engaging in tactics such as extortion and intimidation. This problem was recently highlighted when a teen-age girl "hired" two budding hitmen to attack her teacher because the teacher had taken disciplinary action and confiscated the girl's cellphone.
Nassau residents, who recently have suffered water shortages and electricity bill increases, were concerned that the electrical worker's union, or the hotel union, would ruin their Christmas holidays with industrial action. Surprise! Few expected it would be the propane gas dealers who would play this year's grinches.
Posted by admin at December 21, 2004 09:03 AM