The Dominica government is considering ways of easing high fuel prices in Dominica and according to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, one of the measures being contemplated is the removal of the service charge on petroleum products.
On March 11, 2022, prices of petroleum products increased from $13.95 per gallon of gasoline to $14.89, diesel from $12.95 to $13.91, kerosene $11.31 to $12.81 and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from $37.85 to $39.00.
This, of course, is due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent fallout which has seen Russia hit with heavy sanctions from several territories, and global uncertainty shaking the fuel industry.
Director of Trade, Matthan Walter has since stated that these prices are not locally motivated, but based on global trends, and Dominica therefore, as a non-producer, adjusted its pricing structure.
“One of the things we are looking at where the gas prices are concerned is the possibility of removing the customs service charge which is about 3% on the petroleum products we have here in Dominica,” Prime Minister Skerrit said during the most recent edition his Sunday talk show.
He recalled that some years ago the government had removed the excise tax and customs service charge on LPG and kerosene.
Another possible measure that the Prime minister mentioned, with respect to additional importation in the country, is the removal of the freight and insurance costs as part of the consideration for being charged custom duties.
“We are doing the analysis; we will engage the private sector because the key for this, when the government takes those decisions, is that the benefit is passed onto the consumers,” Skerrit noted. “And so, this is always our concern, that we don’t usually see the benefits passing on to the consumers, because ultimately, when a decision is taken to remove taxes on goods coming into the country, it’s really for the consumers to benefit and it’s something we are looking at.”
To reduce the cost of fuel. Why not reduce, or even remove VAT. Even temporarily.
Your solution sounds logical, but you must remember VAT is a very lucrative revenue for The Government, decisions like this is not easy, what about the shortfall, Government then has to figure another avenue to make up for the revenue lost by removing the VAT or reducing it. When you are outside looking in, it is easy to say such things. Revenue is essential for Government to operate to give us the services and things the Country needs.
I respect your opinion, it is a possible solution to the problem, not the nonsensical comments I have read from others who just spew a political narrative.
How about finding the secret bank accounts full of CBI money. That would go a long way. Or stop giving Labour supporters duty free vehicles.
Here is where the secret bank accounts of CBI money was found
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/politics/sam-raphael-explains-reason-for-going-public-on-uwp-diplomatic-passport-sales-claim/
Aren’t you a clever one. Ask yourself how can UWP sell passport. Are they in charge of the issuing department?
Why don’t you try the following on for size, much more credibility than you cock and bull story from DNO.
https://www.weeklyblitz.net/world/russian-oligarchs-offload-millions-of-dollars-in-dominica/
ADMIN: The most credible news reports seeks to be objective. The very first line of the article is an opinion not a statement of fact or even a quote – which alone can be enough to discredit the article.
However, the statement can also be misleading, as the subsequent facts the article provides goes on to outline measures being taken to prevent the very thing the first line is claiming.
Don’t misunderstand, we do believe that the government should be held accountable but with carefully laid out facts rather than using opinion or misleading statements.
To Marty, I’m not being clever, just reporting the facts. One of the ways of reporting the facts is to verify or question what you read. You must not be reckless, ignoring facts just to suit
your political partisan beliefs, facts can be stubborn.
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/blitz-editor-arrested-in-fraud-case/
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/crime-court-law/update-pm-skerrit-thompson-fontaine-heading-for-a-showdown-in-court/
There is something called intent, The state of mind necessary for an act to constitute a crime, well wasn’t The UWP exposed by Al Jazeera News with their intent to sell diplomatic Passports. If you read what Sam Raphael said and the evidence presented, why are you asking how can UWP sell passports. Are they in charge of the issuing, be content with your understanding.
DNO, you of course are a prime example for for laying out facts. You just regurgitate government issued reports and news, without even scrutinising it, let alone asking this so called PM any telling questions. Don’t try and play smart!
Skerrit, blah, blah, blah… we will engage the private sector because the key for this, when the government takes those decisions, is that the benefit is passed onto the consumers. What a Saint the Crime Minister is, everything he does is with consumers in mind. Nothing but propaganda, as usual. Shame he can’t account for the missing CBI money. That would go a very long way to help consumers, as he puts it.
You d – – m right. That thing about using the cost I pay to ship my stuff to dca and to insure it. Has been wrong for ages . Charge me customs on how much I buy my stuff for. The cost I pay to ship it has nothing to do with customs. And is not just on gas to remove that as well. Remove it on everything. I paying 10 to buy something and then paying 5 to bring it Dominica. Next thing u calculating my cost at 20. You all expect a people to survive in the place on that kinda nonesense
Dr Dr take my advise I’m gone-a-tell you where to begin and what measures you can take, in order to ease fuel prices so consumers can benefit; firstly what about giving up your residence in Morne Daniel $75,000 a month ;secondly get rid of all the “non productive” lazy ministers in the over bloated Cabinet, monies saved can go towards meeting the short fall and subsidizing the cost of the fuel; end of story.
A mind like yours infused with nonsensical political narratives shows how politics has overridden intelligence, is this really the solution you took your time to tell your fellow Dominicans what is needed to
ease the current fuel prizes in the Country.
…and your mind totally free of political narratives?? Boy, you lot never fail to amaze me. Hypocrites!
DNO, why is this story given priority over the present living conditions of Jimbo? Skerrit ‘s promise to lower gas price is just that, a promise.
Jimbo and his wife are living under these most unspeakable conditions for four now. The conditions are so deplorable that they have had to rely on the kindness of a neighbour to take care of their young son. ( May the good Lord bless that neighbour bountifully). Doesn’t this bother your conscience if you still have one? You can help just by shedding light and bringing attention to the plight of this unfortunate couple. Shame on you for stubborn refusing to help but more concerned with pushing Skerrit’s fictitious stories.
ADMIN: We were not aware of the story at the time it came out but we will certainly look into it.
I’m starting to recognize that you are loosing momentum, in the agenda you are trying to pursue, stop your silliness of blaming DNO, and thank them for tolerating you for so long, giving you the medium to express your opinions. Do you really think DNO is pushing Skerrit’s fictitious stories. What is fictitious about the above story. The Government is concerned about the coast of fuel prices which they should be, DNO is reporting how the Government is trying to find a solution or solutions to ease the fuel prices, quoting The PM and you view this as being a fictitious story, lol.
Do you know the amount of fictitious stories with allegations and innuendos you have peddled on this medium with your perceptions. The objective you want to see and accomplished will
not come about with your silly behavior.
Last night I had a dream that this man in the mirror will be in US custody b4 he changes fuel prices
I really hope that dream becomes a reality sooner rather than later. I do hope Alex Saab tied the last knot
Reduce the gasoline price then come to the media. Stop the promises for you are untrustworthy for good reasons.
*You promised to account for the then $1.5 B (now $4.5B) – Lie
*You promised Byron’s Electoral Reform Report in 2021 – Lie
*You promised Geothermal Energy many years ago – Lie
*You promised replacements for ROSS – Lie
*You promised to exist the $74k monthly tax payers funded palace – Still waiting
Skerrit is an unabashed LIAR. He lies so much that now he cannot even differentiate between reality and fiction.