Fuel prices could see radical change in weeks

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has revealed that international rising oil prices may force the government’s hand in relation to local prices at the pump.

St. Lucians have been enjoying stable gas prices for some time now since a government installed cap was placed on the price of fuel to keep the price at $16.00 per gallon.

The price of fuel, the prime minister revealed, will remain as is for the next two to three weeks after which the government will have no choice but to remove the ceiling placed on the subsidized price at the pump.

The prime minister explained that this is all contingent on international oil price fluctuation and the seemingly unpredictable US/Israel/Iran war in the middle east. The conflict is expected to worsen with United States reportedly ready to commit approximately 15,000 American soldiers to active battle on the ground in Iran.

St. Lucia gas price is among the highest in the region alongside St. Kitts and Nevis and chart-topping Anguilla. The prime minister says he is fearful that oil prices will dramatically increase and further exacerbate an already bad situation. “The world is turning upside down, the war in Iran doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime now. That’s my own opinion. It’s not only oil, there is fertilizer, there is flour and other items we import and when these oil prices rise there will be supply chain issues.” PM Pierre insisted that St. Lucians must not just sit back and do nothing. He proposed a serious look at the planting of six-week crops which the Ministry of Agriculture is already promoting. He went on to reiterate that it was the wrong time to try to score “political points” in response to a question at Monday’s Press Briefing, adding that the expected increase in the price of oil will affect the entire nation. “The time now, is first as a nation, we try to face the problems that are at hand. I would have loved to hear from the Leader of the Opposition what would his plans be if oil goes up to 200 dollars a barrel. I would like to hear what’s his opinion now since we did not reduce the price of gas and right now we have a little buffer.”

Prime Minister Pierre also revealed that an official position will be made clear on the issue in the coming week.