Gov’t subsidizes fuel prices
Antigua and Barbuda currently maintains some of the lowest fuel prices in the region as the government continues absorbing global price hikes. Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maurice Merchant, confirms the administration is heavily subsidizing fuel to protect local consumers. Speaking at Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Merchant presented regional price data […]
Black News 
Antigua and Barbuda currently maintains some of the lowest fuel prices in the region as the government continues absorbing global price hikes.
Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maurice Merchant, confirms the administration is heavily subsidizing fuel to protect local consumers. Speaking at Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Merchant presented regional price data monitored via state media to highlight the impact of the local price caps.
Currently, gasoline in Antigua costs EC$14.50 per gallon while diesel is EC$14.25 per gallon. In comparison, consumers in Barbados pay EC$24.59 per gallon for gasoline and EC$18.23 for diesel. Jamaica faces prices of EC$22.15 for gasoline and EC$22.68 for diesel, while prices in St Thomas are EC$17.30.
The local cushion also extends to cooking gas. A 20-pound cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) costs EC$32.20 locally, compared to EC$67.50 in other parts of the region.
However, these protections reportedly place a heavy financial burden on the national treasury. Merchant notes that while prices are expected to fluctuate at some point, the government will try its best to keep things steady and shield citizens from global market shocks.
