Gonsalves Slams Government, Calls for” Targeted Relief”
Speaking on Star Radio’s “Morning Comrade” program on Star Radio this week, Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves raised an urgent alarm regarding the escalating cost of energy and its projected impact on the national economy.
Highlighting that SOL currently provides diesel for VINLEC, Dr. Gonsalves noted that while the utility company purchased approximately $95 million in diesel last year, that figure is expected to exceed $100 million this year due to rising global prices.
He expressed deep concern over the stability of these supply chains, particularly regarding the storage facilities built to hold three to four months of fuel, which he described as central to national security. Dr. Gonsalves specifically pointed to the dominance of RUBIS in the Caribbean market, noting that despite the company’s rerouting of supply chains through Singapore to ensure availability, they have no intention of absorbing rising costs.
He emphasized that RUBIS reported a 19% increase in net income for 2025, with the Caribbean serving as its largest profit center.
Addressing the direct impact on citizens, Dr. Gonsalves asserted that price hikes are inevitable for gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, and specifically LPG (cooking gas), which has already seen significant increases in neighbouring Grenada.
He stated that based on his 25 years of experience, he believes the Ministry of Finance is already preparing documents for Cabinet regarding these increases, despite a lack of public communication from the current administration. Dr. Gonsalves criticized the government’s silence on these “moving parts” and called for a strategy of targeted support rather than general subsidies.
He proposed implementing cost-of-living allowances for low-income earners and providing specific relief to minibus operators to prevent the burden of rising transport costs from falling on the general public and school children.