At least three gas stations in Georgetown, have upped prices with motorists now paying more for diesel and, at one location, all three grades of fuel.
 
At the Guyoil gas station on Regent Street, the price of diesel has increased, while the prices of gasoline remain unchanged.
 
A representative of the station told Kiskadee Watch on Thursday that regular gasoline is currently selling for $273 per litre, while ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) is being sold at $330 per litre.
 
Before the increase, ULSD was priced at $290 per litre, while regular gasoline was $238 per litre. The representative said there has been no increase in the price of gasoline at that location.
 
At the Mobil gas station on Vlissengen Road, though, prices for all three types of fuel increased as of last Wednesday.
 
According to a representative, as of yesterday morning, Extra was selling at $255 per litre, Supreme at $273 and diesel at $295. Kiskadee Watch could not reach the Mobil gas station on Regent Street, but prices have also been increased at this location as could be seen from their fuel tariffs board.
 
The increases triggered by the Iran war and other conflicts come in the face of continuing concerns over the cost of living and rising operating costs in Guyana.
 
President Irfaan Ali has acknowledged that global energy and other cost pressures are affecting the economy. At a recent press conference, he said Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh was seeking tens of billions of dollars in additional financing for Guyana Power and Light to meet increased fuel costs without passing those costs on to consumers.
 
The Government has also attributed some of the country’s cost-of-living pressures to factors including imported inflation, retailer mark-ups and changes in consumer behaviour.
 
The Government said it has been pursuing measures aimed at reducing the impact of rising prices, while Ali has also pointed to the country’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products as a vulnerability. Guyana produces crude oil but continues to import refined products, exposing the domestic market to international price movements.
 
The latest increases at the three Georgetown stations are therefore likely to add to concerns among motorists and businesses already facing higher transportation and operating expenses.