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There are fresh concerns about the true scale of the increase in the fuel tax imposed by the government last week.
Motorists across the island are being put on notice that they will be paying as must as $15 more per litre on fuel, when they fill up their tanks at petrol pumps on Monday morning.
Finance Minister Audley Shaw told the country last week that the increase in the Special Consumption Tax would amount to eight dollars and 75 cents per litre.
But Immediate Past President of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA), Trevor Heaven says there are embedded calculations that have not been revealed, which will double the increased fuel tax to be paid.
As a result he says motorists should brace for a higher than expected increase in the price of petrol at the pumps.
"It translates into a figure at the pumps of about $60 to $65 per gallon at the pumps overall when all the pieces come into being and the full impact of the increase to substantiate the government's revenue side of the budget," said Mr. Heaven.
"It will definitely mean that kind of an increase which according to our calculations will be $14 to $15 per litre, $60 to $63 per gallon,"
"It is important that we recognize this kind of an increase and get ourselves organized for that. And I believe what we should do is just get it done and get it over with and just move on," he said.
Meanwhile gas station operators islandwide began making upward adjustments to their prices as at midnight on Sunday night.
President of the JGRA, Trevor Barnes told RJR News the changes were made arising from the instructions of the Petroleum Company of Jamaica.
"Everything is set for a smooth adjustment of petrol prices as dealers will add the additional tax to their prices at the pump at 12:01 for dealers who operate on a 24-hour basis. Dealers who do not operate on a 24-hour basis will adjust their prices as soon as they open in the morning," said Mr. Barnes.
Motorists across the island are being put on notice that they will be paying as must as $15 more per litre on fuel, when they fill up their tanks at petrol pumps on Monday morning.
Finance Minister Audley Shaw told the country last week that the increase in the Special Consumption Tax would amount to eight dollars and 75 cents per litre.
But Immediate Past President of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA), Trevor Heaven says there are embedded calculations that have not been revealed, which will double the increased fuel tax to be paid.
As a result he says motorists should brace for a higher than expected increase in the price of petrol at the pumps.
"It translates into a figure at the pumps of about $60 to $65 per gallon at the pumps overall when all the pieces come into being and the full impact of the increase to substantiate the government's revenue side of the budget," said Mr. Heaven.
"It will definitely mean that kind of an increase which according to our calculations will be $14 to $15 per litre, $60 to $63 per gallon,"
"It is important that we recognize this kind of an increase and get ourselves organized for that. And I believe what we should do is just get it done and get it over with and just move on," he said.
Meanwhile gas station operators islandwide began making upward adjustments to their prices as at midnight on Sunday night.
President of the JGRA, Trevor Barnes told RJR News the changes were made arising from the instructions of the Petroleum Company of Jamaica.
"Everything is set for a smooth adjustment of petrol prices as dealers will add the additional tax to their prices at the pump at 12:01 for dealers who operate on a 24-hour basis. Dealers who do not operate on a 24-hour basis will adjust their prices as soon as they open in the morning," said Mr. Barnes.
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