By Chantale Fletcher
CHAIRMAN of the Tobago Business Chamber attorney Martin George disagrees with the Government’s decision to increase gas prices.
He said as businesses have now emerged from all restrictions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic and the fuel price increase may not be the best thought out option.
George said the increase will affect both business owners and members of the public, as once the cost of fuel goes up, everyone would be affected by the knock-on effect.
He said, “We would have hoped that the Government would have probably tried to make an announcement, to say from January 1, 2023, this price increase will take effect so, therefore, people would have the time to adjust to it.
“They would have some time to make preparations for it. Businesses would have some months to get back their sales and customers. Rather than being hit with this after we have had increases in the price of bread, increases in the price of flour.”
He added the citizenry is reeling from aftershock and aftershock, and it does not augur well for the well being of the nation.
George also called on the Government to take more “creative” solutions to try to manage the economy rather than raise taxes and prices to increase revenue and balance the budget.
