St. Lucia PM stabilizes gas prices

St. Lucia's Prime Minister Stephenson King

As first reported on the HTS news, the Stephenson King Administration has decided this month to keep the price of fuel at the pumps stable at $15.38 for gas and $15.57 for diesel.

During an address to the nation on Wednesday – the Prime Minister explains the move was achieved by cutting the excise tax on the commodity from $3.00 to $1.98 cents for gas and diesel from $3.00 to $2.53.

There was speculation the decision to keep the domestic retail price of fuel steady was predicated on the projected decline in international oil prices. Oil and commodity prices took a nose dive on May 5th but the market continues to be volatile. However the Prime Minister says the effort was accomplished solely through subsidization which staved off the onset of another marked increase in prices.

Critics of the Stephenson King administration including Opposition leader Dr. Kenny Anthony have continually criticized the government’s taxation policy on gasoline. They want the excise tax to be reduced to 2 dollars and a quarterly revision of fuel prices based on the pass through mechanism. However the Prime Minister indicates the adjustment is temporary and there are no plans for a price gap or radical changes to the existing system.

The government leader also cautioned the public that reduction in taxes and revenue will affect capital programs and government’s budgetary plans. King also reiterated calls for the adoption of fuel conservation practices. The next adjustment in the price of fuel takes place on June 6th 2011.

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20 Comments

  1. its me
    May 14, 2011

    but wait nuh, All the ppl talking here fail to see the price man???

  2. that's more like it.
    May 13, 2011

    That is what we mean when we talk about a government who is working for the well-being of the people. doe come and tell me there is nothing you can do and expect me to sit and take it, while i know that taxes on fuel is adding to the burden. alyou think moun sot. I hope Dcans take note. stop swallowing them politicians BS in whole.

  3. lance
    May 13, 2011

    Dominicans are soo senseless, it is impossible to control a comodity that we do not have as a natural resource. I’m sure that St Lucia will have to revert to it’s original fee for gas. Bible prophesies ae fulfilling our government and other governments cannot control it.
    Dominicas want every flippin thing for free, WE PRIE MINISTER TO DO THIS, TO DO THAT EVERYTHING, I CANNOT BELIEVE ALL YOU.

    • nice one
      May 13, 2011

      but know this the prime minister of st lucia in his address to the nation said that there will be a back lash ahead of this decision and he knows wats coming,this to me is part of his election campaign.

  4. Jahlove
    May 13, 2011

    The Government is one sided people.They do a great job at asking foreign nations for assistance and making so called diplomatic ties with countries.But after they receive monies from these nations/countries where does all the money go too.I’m not saying they are stealing the money but they are damn sure not putting it into revenue generating projects.Dominicans needs jobs like most there places,if you can’t give jobs then damn it allow the private sector and local man an opportunity to invest and live better.What are you talking about you may ask? My point is the custom duties here are outrageous and is just limiting our progress and development,Dominicans abroad and on island can’t afford to start businesses.We can barely see our way in terms of living expenses and it’s getting worse.The Government needs to invest into revenue generating projects and lower the duties.If after 9 year in power these people are only thinking of asking nations for assistance and fixing and building roads and schools will do they are DEAD WRONG.What’s extremely disappointing to me is the same PM Douglas had a very good approach that things,he was at least targeting Dominica abroad to motivate them to come back and invest.Douglas was at least trying to create an environment why the government could have given incentives for Dominicans overseas to come back.Did Skerrit and his ministers continue with this idea? Oh know because they think they can do better but asking for assistance or as they say creating diplomatic ties with other nations.It’s not rocket science the duties go down everything else follows,they know this but they keep on pressing Dominicans with this duty thing.Imagine new car 104%,used car 140% plus $3000 environmental tax if older than 5 years.Mr.Skerrit,I don’t know if you realize it,because I know you have people driving you all over the place,but a vehicle is no longer a luxury it’s a necessity,without we can’t go to work,produce,educate or function properly as a society.
    Every other country/nation has duty free on computers but no a couple years ago y’all had to raise the duty from 9.5% to 26%….Do y’all want us to progress? As for the ghetto youth I can just image how much tighter things are for them.Like we say Skerrit,Do something before something do you.Stop letting your people suffer,try to do things that helps Dominicans on a whole,cost of living is too high.

  5. Attorney
    May 13, 2011

    DNO The government has already removed the 3% customs service charge

  6. hmm2
    May 13, 2011

    YES DNO , GOOD COME BACK FOR SKERRIT AND HIS NONSENSE ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT GAS PRICES . LUCKILY FOR SKERRIT AND HIS SUBORDINATES THE GOVERN SOME OF THE MOST CONFORMIST , APATHETIC , NON CRITICAL THINKERS , IN AT LEAST THE LAST 2 GENERATIONS , IT CANT BE THAT WE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE JUST 30 ODD YRS AGO SHUT DOWN A COUNTRY, FOR 47 DAYS AND ALL THE OTHER ACTIVITIES IN DEFIANCE OF A GOVT ON THE WRONG PATH , TODAY THEY SAY WE ONLY HAVE 23 PEOPLE , THAT DO THAT

  7. Eh beh weh
    May 13, 2011

    I don’t know how Dominicans can be so gullible! And so many ‘educated’ ones following this nonsense.Do you honestly expect Skerrit to reduce taxes? Continue dreaming and welcome to the next level of ignorance,

  8. Hugo Grotius
    May 13, 2011

    Thank God i did not vote skerrit, all those minister Self-Serving they making it hard so more people can enter the Red Clinic so u will be loyal to them so they can win elections.

  9. Of the FEW, for the FEW, by the FEW
    May 13, 2011

    Govt. of the FEW, for the FEW, by the FEW. When it is to plan strategies for the FEW to amass huge assets and wealth quickly by controversial means while in Public Office, Oh my people NO PROBLEMS. But to ease up the plight and to improve the standard of living of the majority in a positive transparent manner, Skerrit and his bunch of incompetent colleagues procrastinating and find it difficult to reduce the Excise Tax on fuel. In the wake of, in comparison to, the foolish excuse made by Skerritt recently, thanks DNO for the timely information. Dominicans, as time flies by, you are realizing that the DLP Govt. is no doubt a Govt. of the FEW, for the FEW, by the FEW.

  10. huh( tedash )
    May 13, 2011

    Where dem jokers that was all up on the other thread saying that governmnet can’t do anything.

    The Smart arzz in new jersy that goes by the name of ” lol look joke” . I hope you reading . Then again u maybe thinking of who u going to trick into a marriage so u can get papers.

    • Plz
      May 13, 2011

      LOL. LOL. alyou doe easy. LOL. but that one have me on the ground. u so right

    • lol look joke
      May 13, 2011

      Lol you real dotish!!! I have American and Dominican passport i free to travel as i please.. stay like a DOM DOM AND BARCK.. They going to put that tax back up just you wait and see.. They have no real control on this when the price hikes up again they gonna put it back to its original tax lol.. YOU AND YOUR DOTISH MASTER DEGREE GO AND READ A DAMN BOOK SORT!!!

  11. forkit
    May 13, 2011

    well hare goes, with the abundance of all the resourceful persons in the cabinet no one could sugrest a simple reduction of the excise tax on fuel. the arguement will be revenue forgone, however we are told how well the economy is growing and the labour party is concerned about the well being of the poor people of Dominica. i wonder once again how mwny times our master will continue to fool us.

  12. Anonymous
    May 13, 2011

    Well done, D/A to follow. But i will still be baffled, where is the partnership for energy….Dr. Aaron man take off your carnival mask.

  13. business person
    May 13, 2011

    i support you we need that because business in Dominica is to slow we cant aford it.

  14. concerned
    May 13, 2011

    well if the st.Lucia PM can find a way to stabilize the prices I’m sure ours can also find a way……..

    • Anonymous
      May 13, 2011

      i support that

  15. haaa
    May 13, 2011

    Skerro…take note

    • shane
      May 13, 2011

      u too sot.. just wait and see when they put the tax back up

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