During Wednesday’s press briefing Finance Minister Ardwell Irion in answering a question about the promised fuel price relief said a proposal had gone to the Advisory Council as required. On May 18, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs in the same forum had said the matter would hopefully be handled by the Council of Ministers by the end of that week.
The matter came up again a week later, when the one Netherlands Antillean guilder cent per litre contribution to sports was announced by Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports ECYS Rodolphe Samuel. It will go into effect when government lowers its duties on fuel by about 14% as intended.
Meanwhile, gasoline and diesel fuel rates have continued to rise elsewhere, prompting the question whether seemingly inevitable local upwards adjustments based on world market developments won’t prove bigger than any reduction offered in the end. Either way it will be beneficial by protecting motorists from even higher tariffs.
One fully understands and respects the need for advisory bodies – particularly a high council of state – to take time when reviewing draft legislation and do their important task in a responsible manner, making sure the general interest is duly served. On the other hand, some sense of urgency on the issue by now certainly appears justified.
