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Faced with the prospect of the country's oil bill soaring past the US$2 billion mark by year-end, the Government is now looking at drastic measures to conserve on fuel.
Minister of Energy, Clive Mullings, is proposing a staggering of work hours in both the public and private sectors in order to cut down on petrol.
According to Mr. Mullings, this is being looked at as a short-term measure in response to the worsening global oil crisis.
Mr. Mullings told RJR News that he will be presenting the proposal to the Labour Ministry, the Jamaica Manufacturers Association and the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica.
"To see how best we can work on a formula to see how we can stagger the opening of these businesses because any given morning we have virtual gridlock around the country especially in the cities of Kingston and Montego Bay and we need now to rationalize this," said Mr. Mullings.
"We can't continue the way that we are but be cognizant of the fact that oil has gone up tremendously and it is not unrealistic to see $100 per barrel; with that kind of challenge we have to be proactive and seek to deal with the issue," he said.
The Government is bracing for a record increase in the country's import bill for oil which is forecast to reach 100 dollars per barrel before the end of the year.
Last year, US$1.7 billion was spent on importing oil.
And starting Thursday, consumers will see sharp increases in the prices of petroleum products.
It will cost three dollars more for the price per litre for unleaded gasoline 87.
The price of unleaded gasoline 90 has also increased by three dollars.
As a result, the retail price for a litre of 87 Octane is $58.80, while Unleaded gasoline 90 will be sold for $60.24.
The price of automotive diesel oil has been increased by $2.42 and will be sold for $60 per litre.
A litre of kerosene moves up by $2.53 and will now cost $60.71.
Marketing companies and dealers will add their margins to the prices.
Minister of Energy, Clive Mullings, is proposing a staggering of work hours in both the public and private sectors in order to cut down on petrol.
According to Mr. Mullings, this is being looked at as a short-term measure in response to the worsening global oil crisis.
Mr. Mullings told RJR News that he will be presenting the proposal to the Labour Ministry, the Jamaica Manufacturers Association and the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica.
"To see how best we can work on a formula to see how we can stagger the opening of these businesses because any given morning we have virtual gridlock around the country especially in the cities of Kingston and Montego Bay and we need now to rationalize this," said Mr. Mullings.
"We can't continue the way that we are but be cognizant of the fact that oil has gone up tremendously and it is not unrealistic to see $100 per barrel; with that kind of challenge we have to be proactive and seek to deal with the issue," he said.
The Government is bracing for a record increase in the country's import bill for oil which is forecast to reach 100 dollars per barrel before the end of the year.
Last year, US$1.7 billion was spent on importing oil.
And starting Thursday, consumers will see sharp increases in the prices of petroleum products.
It will cost three dollars more for the price per litre for unleaded gasoline 87.
The price of unleaded gasoline 90 has also increased by three dollars.
As a result, the retail price for a litre of 87 Octane is $58.80, while Unleaded gasoline 90 will be sold for $60.24.
The price of automotive diesel oil has been increased by $2.42 and will be sold for $60 per litre.
A litre of kerosene moves up by $2.53 and will now cost $60.71.
Marketing companies and dealers will add their margins to the prices.
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