Following this disclosure from the Chamber, the Opposition has criticised the government’s handling of gas prices over the last two years. The Opposition released some, claiming “gas prices in Saint Lucia [is] among the highest levels within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).”

The Opposition continues: “Comparatively, in Dominica, a gallon of gas costs EC $13.91 and in Saint Kitts & Nevis it is priced at EC $13.33. However, the citizens of Saint Lucia are burdened with the staggering cost of EC $16.50 per gallon…”

Yet, these statistics are incomplete - and here’s why.

According to the preliminary statistics provided by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, while Saint Kitts retails gasoline at XCD 13.33 per gallon, diesel retails at XCD 18.82. Saint Lucia, on the other hand, retails diesel at XCD 16.50. Further inspection reveals that Saint Lucia’s petrol prices fall below those of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, Grenada and Anguilla.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, in 2023, “the government [spent] $8.10 million on subsidies for LPG. These elevated subsidy rates have successfully kept the retail prices of the 20lbs and 22lbs LPG cylinders affordable for the average Saint Lucian household and averted exorbitant price hikes.”

Gasoline remains unchanged at $3.63 per litre or $16.50 per gallon.

Diesel remains unchanged at $3.63 per litre or $16.50 per gallon.