The Office of the Prime Minister in Antigua and Barbuda has been unable to locate correspondence reportedly sent by service station dealers to Prime Minister Gaston Browne concerning their longstanding request for an increase in profit margins on petroleum products.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant disclosed the situation during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, describing it as a communication mishap between the
government
and service station operators.
The disclosure came after a journalist questioned whether a committee previously announced to address the dealers’ concerns had been established.
Merchant confirmed that the committee was formed when the matter first arose but acknowledged difficulties surrounding the correspondence the dealers said they had submitted to the prime minister.
“The service station dealers, you would have heard in the media, have said that they have written to the Honourable Prime Minister,” Merchant said.
“Unfortunately, the Office of the Prime Minister cannot put our hands on those communications, so we are trying to ascertain what mode of communication was utilised, whether electronic or physical communication.”
Merchant did not indicate whether the letters had been received and subsequently misplaced or whether they had reached the Office of the Prime Minister.
Despite the uncertainty, he maintained that the dealers’ concerns have remained on the government’s agenda.
He said the committee responsible for addressing the matter is headed by Financial Secretary Rasona Davis-Crump and includes representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Finance and service station dealers.
However, when asked how many people serve on the committee, Merchant said he could not immediately provide the figure.
The disclosure follows Wednesday’s temporary closure of several service stations as operators pressed their demand for improved profit margins.
Cabinet subsequently expressed disappointment with the closures, describing them as unfortunate because of the essential nature of the service provided to motorists and businesses.
The government has acknowledged that service station dealers deserve an increase in their profit margins but maintains that current instability in international petroleum prices makes an immediate adjustment difficult.
Cabinet has instructed the financial secretary to expedite discussions with the dealers and establish a clear path toward implementing an increase before the end of 2026.
Merchant insisted that the government’s commitment remains unchanged, even if international petroleum prices continue to rise.
He said the administration would explore other measures to protect consumers while honouring its commitment to service station operators.
The government is hoping that international petroleum prices will ease toward the end of the year, creating more favourable conditions for the adjustment.
Meanwhile, Merchant indicated that service stations had resumed normal operations by Thursday morning following Wednesday’s closures.
The unresolved correspondence issue comes as both sides prepare for further discussions aimed at settling the dispute over dealers’ profit margins.
Source: Antigua News Room Government Says It Cannot Locate Letters Sent by Gas Station Dealers to Prime Minister.