Commentary

Cheap gas on demand

IT WOULD SEEM that illegal gas stations will be here to stay, based on today's lead story.

The story tells of illegal gas stations operating in the Corporate Area at several locations. Although there have been police raids in the past, the practice has been allowed to continue.

What has, however, drawn the attention of THE STAR's editorial is the fact that the businesses thrive in communities where people live, but everyone has decided to live with it despite its potential for danger.

Although the residents in the community may be afraid to act, at the end of the day the old maxim 'where there is no market there is no seller' can be applied to the illegal gas trade.

The illegal gas stations only exist because they are patronised by members of the public who want cheap fuel. And, the public heads to the illegal dealers because fuel at the legitimate dealers is fast becoming unaffordable.

At the end of the day, the question of safety should be reason to keep customers away from the illegal gas dealers.

At the end of the day, until both the communities where the illegal dealers operate and their customers recognise the danger behind this trade then the operators will always continue.