Haiti gov’t announces increase in prices for fuel amid protests
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Haiti Wednesday announced new prices for fuel even as protesters took to the streets throughout the capital with rocks, burning tyres, metal gates against the move and crippling traffic in the city.
Minister of Communication, Emmelie Prophète, said the government had decided on the new price for petroleum products at the pump.
“With the withdrawal of the petroleum products subsidy, the following prices will be charged at the pump,” he said, adding that the decision had been taken by the Council of Ministers.
The government-set price of a gallon of gasoline is to increase from 250 gourdes (One Gourde=US$0.008 cents) to 570 gourdes, while diesel has been increased to 670 gourdes a gallon, up from 353 gourdes. Kerosene will now be sold at 665 gourdes, increasing from 352 gourdes a gallon.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in a national address, had indicated that fuel prices would increase, saying that the government, which authorised local distributors to import fuel, could no longer afford to heavily subsidise fuel.
The action of the protestors forced schools and businesses including banks to shut down.
