BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Management of SOL St. Kitts has cleared the air on the purpose behind the suspension of gas supply to F&H Frisco Service Station on Pond Road.
This revelation comes as some people were attributing the construction of the Kim Collins Highway Roundabout as possible cause for the suspension.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes Business, SOL’s Operations Supervisor Denis Ferdinand explained the cause for the suspension, noting that it is due to maintenance work on old pipes and lines which have been at the location for a number of years.
He revealed that the company is currently in the process of upgrading the gas facility at the service outlet, which would be unsafe if opened for business during the operation.
During the upgrading process, SOL will be removing all pipes and the canopy that houses the pumps and replaced them with newer and more modern pipes. During this process, Ferdinand said it would be unsafe for unauthorised persons to be around.
“To HSE standpoint, we cannot do any works with the station opened and it has nothing to do with the construction,” he added.
When asked if they had seen any damage to the pipes or pumps, he told SKNVibes Business they have not had any such reports.
“No evidence to suggest that! Yes, nothing to suggest such, but during the upgrades we would check them.”
He informed that SOL is hoping to restart its operation at another service station by the end of this month (March), noting that that outlet is also down for maintenance work.
However, owner of F&H Frisco Service Station, Sylvester Fraser told SKNVibes Business that the suspension has somewhat affected his business and he might have to reduce his staff.
“I haven’t yet laid anyone off, but, with no operations, I would have to lay off some staff,” Fraser explained.
Ferdinand expects the upgrading process to take approximately three to four months to complete, and during that time people would have to seek the service of other gas stations.
