And while that long vacuum at a critical post has been filled, for
regular folks, the price of gas is far more important. Gas prices zoomed past
$8 per gallon on Saturday night. The increase is news because at an April 22nd
press conference – Prime Minister Dean Barrow promised to revisit the
one dollar tax on fuel if the prices go north of $8. Well the prices are north
of $8 and today the Prime Minister told us that he promised to “revisit”
not necessarily, revise those prices.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“We’re in the process of looking at exactly how to proceed.
I don’t want to be going back to the House every three months as a consequence
of what happens to the acquisition prices. So I am trying to come up with a 
formula that will allow for a degree of flexibility. I also am very much in
the process of looking at the revenue picture to see exactly when we should
intervene. The truth is that while the high gas prices are a burden, additional
revenue is being provided to government and it is additional revenue that is
desperately needed. So there is a balancing act that I am doing. As soon as
we can complete that work, I will make an announcement as to exactly how we
propose to proceed.”
Keith Swift,
It seems though that you made a promise you could not keep.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“No man I didn’t make any promise except to revisit the position
depending on the circumstances. I’ve just said to you that I am in the
process of doing that. The question of exactly what point will trigger our intervention
and the form that the intervention will take is being decided.”
Jose Sanchez, News 5
“How soon should we get an announcement about the plan?”
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“About which plan?”
Jose Sanchez,
“About how you’re going to decrease the gas rate.”
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“I never said I am going to decrease the gas rate you know. I said
I am looking at when to intervene and how to intervene.”
Regular gas is $8.31 while premium is at $8.61.
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