Africa-Press – Eswatini. Motorists are pleading with government to cushion them, after the fuel hike announced yesterday.
They said the hike was quite steep and quite unexpected. Government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, announced a hike of E1.10 in the price of petrol and diesel. In a statement issued by the ministry, it reads that diesel, which currently costs E21.80 per litre, will hike by E1.10 to E22.90 per litre. The statement also pointed out that unleaded petrol, which is currently sold at E21.80 per litre, will hike to E22.90 effect from tomorrow. Illuminating paraffin, which is currently sold at E16.75, will be increased by E0.50, meaning it will be sold at E17.25.
Prices
The ministry stated that the price hike had been informed by global oil prices, which traded upwards while there was a production cut. The ministry stated that the price hike was also influenced by the depreciation of the Lilangeni/ Dollar exchange rate. Some interviewed motorists said this was quite steep for consumers, in particular, because the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) also announced the implementation of their tariff hike. “We are in a serious fix here, it’s really not looking good. Everything else will definitely shoot up because prices of most commodities are influenced by fuel,” one motorist said. Another said government should quicken the process of establishing the fuel reserve at Phuzumoya, to guard against such and cushion motorists.
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