The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has accumulated more than EC$6 million in outstanding payments to the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) as it continues efforts to shield consumers from higher fuel prices driven by fluctuations in the global energy market.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Gaston Browne said the Government has been covering a portion of fuel costs for several months to prevent significant increases in the retail prices of gasoline and diesel.
“We have been paying WIOC to keep prices under control. Right now we owe the company over $6 million,” Browne said.
He explained that without government intervention, motorists and businesses would likely be paying considerably more at the pumps due to rising international oil prices.
Browne said the administration opted to absorb the additional costs rather than transferring the full burden to consumers, describing the measure as part of a broader effort to ease pressure on households and businesses.
“This is a very benevolent position taken by my administration to contain the price of diesel and gasoline for the benefit of the people, but it is hurting us financially,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister, Antigua and Barbuda continues to maintain some of the lowest fuel prices in the region despite ongoing volatility in global energy markets.
He said the policy is intended to protect the economy from sudden fuel price spikes and help preserve consumer purchasing power.
However, Browne cautioned that if international oil prices remain elevated for an extended period, the Government may face increasing challenges in maintaining the current level of support.
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When things get outside your budget as someone who runs your household, what do you do? You cut back on the things you do not necessarily need. You cut back on running up excessive water bills and electrical bills. You cut back on driving everywhere and take a walk sometimes. You cut back on going out to dinner every weekend,and put it back to every other weekend. You cut back on everything t thats a luxury that’s not a immediate need. That’s what you do..you get a little conservative, and not continue to live at the same pace.
So this government should do the same and advise people to do the same thing, not continue to pay people bills.
At least that’s what smart people do..so this debt is all on you GB, so stop acting like you are doing working class people this big favor.
The election is over, so stop embellishing the squeeze you think people are feeling.
What Antiguan’s want to feel, is that they are a part of their island, and feel comfortable in their own house whether it’s night or day these days.
Tackle the crime problem for Christ sake and stop paying people bills..no one ask you for anything. Most people are proud to pay their own bills and take care of themselves. That’s in their control. What’s not in their control, are the criminals that are doing whatever they want in the island and get away with it..the judicial system is not in their control, that’s your part, and you and Cutie are failing Antiguan’s.
At year end they can offset it with the dividend check that they will owe us. Simple as that.
The same thing we do with State Insurance Company Ltd
HOW MANY BUSINESSES AND INSTITUTIONS THE GOVERNMENT OWED OUTSTANDING MONEY? WHEN GASTON BROWNE WAS ELECTED IN 2014.HE DID SAY,HE WOULD BE BORROWING ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA OUT OF DEBT.I DID SEND A MESSAGE TO HIM.I WANTED THAT MATHEMATICAL FORMULA. NOT EVEN THE LATE ALBERT EINSTEIN COULD HAVE FIGURED THAT FORMULA OUT.TO THIS DAY,I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THAT FORMULA.FOR I WOULD HAVE USED IT. LOL
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