A local gas retailer intends on fighting Texaco (Bahamas) "tooth and nail" after being evicted from his station with the pumps locked up. Dozens of motorists in need of gas at the Claridge Service Centre on Mackey and Madeira Street had to be turned away - in what could be the beginning of much larger, bitter dispute between dealers and wholesalers.

"He has decided [Texaco officials] the best thing to do with me is get me out of the station and keep my mouth shut," said Raymond Claridge, the owner of the service station.

"But that is the worst thing he could have done as far as I'm concerned.  I intend on fighting him tooth and nail."

Although the full extent of the dispute is unknown, Claridge believes it may stem from his continued insistence that the company make repairs to the station - a request he has been concerned with since 2006. He added that he received the letter of eviction from Chevron at the end of August saying the wholesaler would not be renewing his lease.

The move not only puts Claridge out of business, but results in unemployment for 15 workers. The wholesaler of 22 years said he hasn't been given a formal explanation.
Attempts to contact district sales manager, Ryan Bain, were unsuccessful up until press time.

Phillip Kemp, interim president of the Bahamas Petroleum Association, felt the retailer's eviction was part of a much greater problem between retailers and wholesalers. In August, the country sat at the edge of its seat as retailers threatened strike action, asserting that their profit margins on gas and diesel are far too low.

"This is not a Ray Claridge problem," Kemp said yesterday.  "It is a national problem for all petroleum retailers in terms of the relationship between the dealer and the wholesaler.  We want the right thing to be done."

Meanwhile, Texaco (Bahamas) has also been at the center of speculation regarding its possible sale. The company has been assessing bids for the sale of its fuel marketing and aviation business in The Bahamas, but no agreements have yet been signed.
Whether there are any links to this sale and the apparent lack of repairs to Claridge Service Centre is unknown at this time.

For now, Claridge's main concern, however, is his employees.  He said he will be seeking severance pay and notice pay "as soon as humanly possible". Claridge also agreed with Kemp that every station on the island is suffering financially and his plight is not an isolated issue.

If attempts to reverse the eviction fail, Kemp said the retailer should be compensated for his good will and work to keep the gas station open.

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