Following the complaint of Rubis Dominica that fuel distribution has become unprofitable and that it is suspending the sales of fuel products in its gas stations across the country, PM Roosevelt Skerrit has revealed that the government will be working with Petro Caribe to meet the demands of fuel consumers in Dominica. He said the government will import fuel into the country and Petro Caribe will market it.
The government itself will be bringing in a significant quantity of gasoline and diesel and we will provide that to Petro Caribe. Petro Caribe will supply the gas stations.
Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica
The prime minister also reminded Dominicans that fuel will be available through West Indies Oil Station and National Petroleum (NP). He added that the government remains open to holding talks with the management of Rubis until they agree to resume fuel distribution in the country – and he added that Rubis is also free to obtain fuel for distribution from Petro Caribe in the meantime.
We are open to discussions; the discussions must be transparent and the information that we would ask of RUBIS they must make it available – they should make it available so that the government can have a better appreciation of its concerns and what realistically can be done to respond to the issue
Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica
While blaming the increase in the cost of fuel on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Skerrit said his administration has always changed the prices of petroleum products every four weeks to reflect market demands. He clarified that the government did this every eight weeks initially, but it was brought down to four weeks after fuel suppliers requested for this.
He noted that the fuel price mechanism adopted in Dominica and some other Caribbean countries are reflective of prices in the international oil market. Skerrit also blamed Rubis for desiring to achieve unrealistic profits despite the fact that the government is subsidizing every gallon of petrol sold to suppliers with 85c.
It’s not that we are selling the petroleum products less than what it is imported into the country, but they are asking for an increase in the profit margin. We did give an increase early this year, but we have always said to Rubis and others that one has to be mindful of the global reality and we cannot go ahead and give you an extreme increase in the profit margin in one-fell stroke, let us take it in a systematic way.
Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica
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