Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle has urged the government to consider reducing the consumption tax on fuel for three months to help families in Antigua and Barbuda cope with rising living costs.

Speaking on Observer Radio’s The Voice of the People, Pringle said temporary relief should be introduced while the government brings stakeholders together to develop a longer-term response.

He identified APUA, service station operators, members of the public and economists as participants in those discussions.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that we offer temporary relief to the people of Antigua and Barbuda in the first instance while we come up with a more comprehensive solution,” Pringle said.

He argued that consumers should not shoulder the entire burden of higher costs while the government and businesses seek to protect their revenues.

Pringle said rising fuel prices would affect more than motorists, warning that higher transportation costs could place additional pressure on food prices and household budgets.

He acknowledged that the government has financial obligations and that service station operators face operating expenses. However, he said meaningful negotiations should involve each stakeholder contributing to measures that ease the pressure on consumers.

Pringle also called for a review of social programmes to ensure assistance reaches the most vulnerable households during periods of economic hardship.

He urged the government and West Indies Oil Company to publish an updated breakdown of gasoline and diesel prices, including purchase costs, taxes and other charges.

“We cannot burden the people of Antigua and Barbuda with any further increase,” he said. “They are already stretched.”

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Pringle Urges Three-Month Cut in Fuel Consumption Tax to Help Struggling Families.