Venezuela reverses decision on cutting off oil to poor Americans

~~Adz:Right~~CARACAS, Venezuela – TWO days after indicating the cessation of the programme, Venezuela’s CITGO Petroleum Corporation has announced plans to resume the delivery of free home-heating oil to poor US citizens.

According to Caribbean Net News, the company will supply 100 gallons of free oil to eligible households in 23 US states with a target of approximately 200 000 homes.

A release issued by the company stated that the reversal in the decision came after an evaluation of all its social programmes. Initially, the company had blamed the termination of the programme on the world financial crisis and the slide in energy markets.

“The decision is a result of the strong commitment and a big effort on the part of CITGO and our shareholder in light of the current global financial crisis and its impact on the oil industry in general,” said CITGO Chairman Alejandro Granado.

The donations began in 2005 at discounted prices before being expanded in 2006 to include free oil. CITGO estimates that it distributed supplies amounting to $100 million in 2008.

News of the reversal was welcomed in the US Northeast as many of its residents have had to contend with high heating bills during the winter and the passage of several ice storms.