This past week the New Day Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government, led by the “Hon.” Philip ‘Brave Davis, basically told the Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association to stop bit**ing and to make do with the fifty-four cents (54 cents) per gallon that the government was allowing them to make at the time.

The New Day government went even further putting its foot on the necks of these very same people by suggesting that if they, the New Day government, were to give the petroleum retailers what they were asking for then the New Day government would have to be rise the price of gasoline and in a sign of mercy they, the New day government went on to say that they would not burden the people of The Bahamas with such an increase, who are already struggling with the high cost of living.

This stance would and should look favorable for a government that is looking out for the welfare of its citizens; but is laughable if the Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association were actually asking for the government to increase the cost of petroleum in the country and in light of all of the other taxes that the New Day government has already burdened the people of The Bahamas with.

“DESPERATE TIMES: Petroleum retailers say lay-offs inevitable due to fuel profit margins”  -Eyewitness News

Excerpt from this article;

“NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Petroleum dealers could be forced to lay off staff early in the new year if the government does not make an adjustment to their margins on gasoline and diesel, according to Bahamas Petroleum Dealers Association vice presidency Vasco Bastian.

In an Eyewitness News interview, Bastian noted that petroleum retailers have all year been pushing for an adjustment to their margins and have had formal and informal discussions with the government. 

“The government has made some adjustments with us on a small scale in the background to address some of our needs but the main issue has always been and continues to be the margin on gas and the margin on diesel,” said Bastian. 

Retailers currently earn a fixed $0.54 per gallon margin on gasoline, and $0.34 for diesel — margins that do not change when fuel prices go up.

“The government decided to raise the minimum wage. How do you absorb that in the petroleum industry where the margin is fixed? From that $0.54 cents on gas we pay our light bill, water bill, and salaries, we buy goods for the store, and order fuel – all from that $0.54 cents. You come and tell us that you are going to go up on certain aspects of our model but you have not dealt with the margin increase,” said Bastian.”

Retailers currently earn a fixed $0.54 per gallon margin on gasoline, and $0.34 for diesel — margins that do not change when fuel prices go up.

“The government decided to raise the minimum wage. How do you absorb that in the petroleum industry where the margin is fixed? From that $0.54 cents on gas we pay our light bill, water bill, and salaries, we buy goods for the store, and order fuel – all from that $0.54 cents. You come and tell us that you are going to go up on certain aspects of our model but you have not dealt with the margin increase,” said Bastian.”

So it would appear that the  Bahamas Petroleum Retailer Association is not asking the government to increase the cost of petroleum but rather adjust the margin to make it more equitable, so that they can actually survive in the current economy, so why would the Minister of Economic Affairs, Mr. Michael Halkitis make it seem otherwise?

“Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis said yesterday that the government is not prepared to entrain any increase in margins for petroleum retailers if it means the price of gas at the pump will increase and appealed to the Bahamas Petroleum Association to talk with the government”; first this is not what it seems that the retailers are asking for and secondly the retailer have indicated that they have been talking with the government – with is the disconnect?

Why does the Davis administration seem unwilling to adjust the margin to accommodate the retailers so that they can actually remain open?

The language used by Economic Affairs Minister; Michael Halkitis is very troubling when he says; “….the government is not minded to do anything that will increase the cost of fuel at the pump.”, as I have asked, is that is the action being suggested by the retailers suggesting this?

There seems to be an attempt to pit the petroleum retailers against the people by the government .  This within itself would be a vile and cowardly act on the government’s part.

Why this the New Day and “caring” government being so uncaring and deceitful on this matter?

The PLP fails for one reason, it is their nature.

END