By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
Monrovia, Liberia – A wave of concern has gripped Liberia following the government’s back-to-back fuel price hikes, affecting both Jet A-1 aviation fuel and ground transportation fuels (gasoline and fuel oil).
With these increases coming simultaneously, there are growing fears that airfares, transportation costs, and commodity prices will surge, placing additional economic strain on businesses and ordinary citizens.
In a series of price circulars issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the cost of Jet A-1 fuel has jumped by $0.10 per gallon, setting the new price at $4.86 per gallon. Simultaneously, the government announced a $0.05 increase in gasoline and fuel oil prices, bringing gasoline to $3.96 per gallon and fuel oil to $4.26 per gallon.
These changes, implemented in consultation with the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), come amid concerns over rising global fuel prices and the weakening Liberian dollar, which currently stands at L$198.82 per USD according to the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL).
The dual price hikes have sparked alarm within the aviation and transport sectors, with airlines expected to adjust ticket prices and commercial transport operators facing increased operational costs.
Experts warn that this could lead to higher transportation fares, which in turn could drive up the prices of essential goods transported across the country. “This is a serious blow to both businesses and consumers,” lamented a local commercial driver. “When fuel prices go up, everything else follows. We can’t absorb this cost alone—it will be passed on to passengers.”
In an attempt to prevent price manipulation, the Ministry of Commerce’s Inspectorate Team has pledged to closely monitor fuel pricing at gas stations and among importers. Authorities have warned against arbitrary price hikes and market distortion, particularly in light of growing public frustration.
However, many Liberians remain skeptical, arguing that government interventions have historically done little to stop businesses from adjusting their prices in response to fuel hikes. With economic hardships already mounting, the question remains: How will the government mitigate the impact of these price increases on ordinary citizens? As consumers brace for potential inflationary shocks, all eyes are now on policymakers to see whether additional relief measures will be introduced—or whether this latest development will trigger a chain reaction of economic hardship for the Liberian people.
