The Government of Montserrat has successfully negotiated reduced prices for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders with supplier Delta Petroleum.
LPG, a flammable hydrocarbon gas, is widely used in Montserrat for heating appliances, cooking and industrial processes.
Prices were initially increased in November to EC$265 for a 100-pound cylinder, $52.95 for a 20lb cylinder, $56.25 for a 25lb cylinder.
According to Premier Reuben Meade, price adjustments in December, following a new shipment of LPG, fell short of expectations.
That month, prices were reduced only slightly to $262 for the 100lb cylinder, $52.43 for the 20lb cylinder, and $57.68 for the 22lb cylinder.
Speaking on ZJB Radio’s What’s On Your Mind call-in show on 14 January, Meade said the adjustments were rejected by the Office of the Premier.
This led to intensive negotiations with Delta Petroleum which resulted in significantly lower prices being agreed upon.
“I’m not going to go into any detail in terms of the negotiations or discussions, but I wish to thank Delta for agreeing to help us out on these matters,” Meade said.
As of 13 January, LPG prices were reduced as follows:
- The 100lb cylinder dropped by $70 to $195.
- The 20lbd cylinder decreased by $14 to $38.95.
- The 22lb cylinder fell by $15.40 to $42.84.
“I must personally apologise for the delay in getting these prices adjusted,” the premier told listeners.
“Sometimes one would make a promise of a timeline, but the exigencies of doing business does not always fit in with the timelines as promised.”
Founded in 1985, Delta Petroleum supplies islands across the Caribbean with diesel, gasoline and LPG.
