Even up to yesterday morning, motorists were clinging to hope that the Government would have a change of heart over the increase in fuel prices. However, that hope was immediately dashed as they drove into the gas stations and faced the adjusted prices.
Still, d the advanced notice over one week ago that the prices of Premium and Super fuel would increase by $1 and diesel by 50 cents per litre yesterday, some were still stunned at the pumps.
“This hit we real hard, I would not lie, but this gas rise really going to mash we up,” one motorist who did not want to be named told Guardian Media.
Speaking with Guardian Media at a gas station along Broadway in Arima, motorists lamented that they were now forced to tighten their belts to steer away from a financial crisis.
“On a personal level, I will have to just monitor my movements, try and plan my destinations and what not, it will be hard,” Marlon Gomez said.
Another motorist added, “Right now I feeling sick and I don’t even know how I plan to get through this.”
Natalie Lewis said she had no choice but to make adjustments in other areas of her life to facilitate the fuel hike.
“I have to do what I have to do, whether it go up or it ent go up, I have to do what I have to do, complaining doesn’t make sense again,” Lewis said.
However, there were no long lines or rush for fuel at several gas stations across the country yesterday. Just hours before, however, motorists had flocked to stations to get their tanks filled up under the previous prices.
Managing director of Broadway express services Reval Chatergoon explained that yesterday may be too early for motorists to feel the pinch at the pumps.
“By tomorrow (Wednesday), we expect to hear, ‘boy, we put a hundred dollars and it not lasting’ and the simple answer is that one hundred dollars would have given you 20 litres yesterday, it’s now giving you 16 litres, so your value for money just fall.”
Chatergoon reiterated that higher fuel prices do not mean more profits for gas station owners and dealers. He said there were many misconceptions associated with higher fuel prices and what it means for gas station owners/dealers.
“We, as businessmen, will try and find a way to survive, closure will be the absolute last, it is a numbers game. If the public don’t have money to buy the fuel, I cannot survive.”
Chatergoon said apart from discussions with the Energy Minister aimed at strengthening the industry, consideration must be given to amending the Green Fund and business levy calculation, as well as the full or partial removal of VAT on fuel. He maintained that the current policies make it difficult for motorists and other stakeholders to shoulder the growing burdens.
