JTUM maintains call for no fuel price increase

THE Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) is maintaining its call for Government to hold its hand on increasing fuel prices. The group did so in a paid newspaper advertisement on Saturday.

Effective April 19, the day after Easter Monday, there will be an increase in fuel prices which Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced in the House of Representatives on April 8.

Current prices per litre, for premium gasoline, super gasoline and diesel are $5.75, $4.97 and $3.41 respectively. On Tuesday, the prices of premium and super will be adjusted by $1 per litre to $6.75 and $5.97, respectively, while the price of diesel will go up by 50 cents to $3.91 per litre. The price of kerosene will be adjusted from $1.50 to $3.50 per litre.

This is the fourth fuel price adjustment implemented since the PNM returned to office in September 2015.

Imbert said the price will remain fixed at $21 for a 20lb cylinder of cooking gas for domestic customers. The Energy Ministry will examine what will be an appropriate liquefied petroleum price for commercial customers.

In its advertisement, JTUM reiterated that increasing fuel prices will place an additional burden on the majority of the population, which is still reeling from the socio-economic effects of the covid19 pandemic.

JTUM claimed the planned fuel price increases were an attempt by Government to attack the poor.

At an event held by the Push Back Movement in Chaguanas, National Trade Union Centre (Natuc) general secretary Michael Annisette reiterated JTUM's position on the planned fuel price increases. He warned that if people do not stand up and oppose these increases they would "eat the bread that the devil make."

Petroleum Dealers Association president Robin Naryansingh reiterated, "We were not consulted with respect to the sudden increase in the fuel prices. He said, "We were unable to express our concern as to how it will affect the delivery of service to the people of Trinidad and Tobago." Narayansingh was concerned that "some stations will be phased out due to economic pressures and their communities will be affected."

In a statement on April 14, the United Independent Petroleum Marketing Co Ltd (Unipet) said it has not received any official communication from the Energy Ministry about the planned fuel price increases.

Unipet said, "All prices and procedures remain the same until further notice."

Unipet CEO Dexter Riley on Saturday reiterated the decision to increase fuel prices without consideration of an appropriate margin adjustment will only place pressure on all stakeholders. "This will negatively impact the viability of the wholesalers and retailers as well risk safety and quality of service to the consumer." He said while Unipet accepts most of what the PDA is proposing "we are not familiar with the details of their call to their membership to conserve inventory."

Riley added, "We wish to note that our network will be open as usual once supplies are available."

On April 14, the ministry sent signed correspondence to Unipet about the fuel price increases. According to a letter from the acting permanent secretary to Riley, the ministry advised Unipet to take the necessary steps to ensure that the new prices are implemented. The ministry gave a breakdown of the wholesale and retail prices of petroleum products that come into effect on that day. Ministry officials said Unipet was properly and officially notified of the change in wholesale and retail prices.

Taxi associations have warned they won't operate on Tuesday, the same day all schools reopen for the first time since March 2020.