In a proactive move to safeguard consumer interests amid growing concerns over fuel quality, Haiti’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) launched targeted inspection operations at multiple gas stations across the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area on September 18, 2026.
Led by MCI Minister James Monazard and executed through the ministry’s Directorate of Quality Control and Consumer Protection (DCQPC), the operation deployed a team of 10 trained inspectors to carry out on-site assessments. The initiative was directly triggered by a surge in consumer complaints regarding potentially non-compliant fuel sold at local retail stations, aligning with the MCI’s broader mandate to tighten market oversight and protect public trust in distributed petroleum products.
During the inspections, the team followed a rigorous multi-step protocol to ensure accurate and verifiable results. Inspectors first documented detailed traceability information for every sample collected from fuel pumps to maintain chain of custody. Before sending samples off-site for comprehensive laboratory testing, inspectors conducted preliminary on-site visual and olfactory examinations to flag immediate irregularities.
Once full laboratory analysis is completed, the MCI will use the resulting technical data to assess whether fuel at the inspected stations meets national quality standards. If adulteration or non-compliance is confirmed, the ministry has stated it will implement proportionate, appropriate enforcement actions to address violations and prevent further harm to consumers.
Beyond this targeted inspection blitz, the MCI used the operation to reaffirm its long-term commitment to strengthening market control mechanisms, enforcing national product standards, and elevating the level of protection available to Haitian energy consumers. To streamline public engagement, the ministry has also launched a dedicated digital complaint channel for motorists who believe they have experienced vehicle damage or other issues after purchasing low-quality or adulterated fuel.
Motorists submitting complaints through the official MCI portal (https://mci.gouv.ht/doleances.php) are guided to provide key details including the name and location of the gas station in question, the date of their fuel purchase, and specific issues their vehicle has experienced following refueling. The platform also allows users to upload supporting documents such as purchase receipts to strengthen their claims, enabling the MCI to follow up on reports more efficiently.