PETROJAM increased ex-refinery prices for all grades of gasoline effective yesterday.

Both 87 octane and 90 octane are up $1.16 per litre while diesel is up 86 cents per litre, according to figures released Wednesday by Petrojam.

Responding to this latest increase, president of the Jamaica Gasoline Retailers Association Trevor Heaven said that it was based solely on external forces.

“The increase of crude oil on the world market is something we have to deal with all the time,” he told Auto.

However Heaven contended that Petrojam should seek to soften the impact of these increases.

Petrojam general manager Winston Watson yesterday argued that the oil refinery had no control over prices and was in no position offer subsidies.

“Prices are based on what is happening in the market,” he said, adding that subsidies on gasoline would have to be a Government policy decision.

Petrol marketing companies add their mark up on the ex-refinery prices charged by Petrojam. Price at the pumps, starting this week, could reach as high as 100 per litre for 90 Octane.