In an environment of serious difficult economic times and the continuing hardship faced by Montserratian residents, with a sky rocketing cost of living, the Hon. Donaldson Romeo asked Premier Reuben Meade at the first sitting of the Legislative Assembly on January 22, “Is there anything the government of Montserrat can do to decrease the cost of diesel, petrol and cooking gas?”
The government as part of their drive to increase revenue, while increasing the tariff last year on several imports to Montserrat, had also increased the tariff on petrol, driving the cost to nearly $19.00 at the gasoline pumps and of course the fuel surcharge on the electricity bill. The response was different from the Premier’s previous response at an press briefing last year when it was suggested to him that lowering the tariff would ease the burden on vehicle owners at the pump. At the time he said there was nothing he would or could do to satisfy the suggestion.
Responding to the LAM The Premier’s answer was, “Yes. But there are consequences which can impact negatively on government budget and the services it is required to provide.”
