For the past month there has been a shortage of small gas cylinders at the various retailers. Needless to say that the people who need this gas to cook their meals and other things are complaining about the inconvenience. Ogane, the subsidiary of the Energy Company Suriname (EBS), which delivers gas cylinders to retailers has not said a word about the shortage. Many consumers are wondering how long the shortage will last. “I have gone from store to store but I still haven’t found a single gas cylinder,” said Jenny who eventually gave up and returned home with her empty gas cylinders. A woman who wishes to remain anonymous told Times of Suriname that she had to buy an electric plate. “It cost me SRD 1,000. Fortunately my daughter pitched in or else I would not be able to prepare meals anymore,” said the woman. Women aren’t the only ones looking for gas cylinders every day. John who has also searched far and wide for cooking gas complained about the shortage. Every retailer  told him the same story. “All of them told me that  do not have gas cylinders in stock. My only option now is to cook on wood,” said John. Consumers complained that they are the ones who always get caught in the ‘crossfire’ whenever management and the union have a dispute. “We are always the ones who pay the price,” said John who has decided to eat sandwiches instead of rice for the next couple of days…[+]