Since the price of gasoline has once again been reduced, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad is calling on minibus operators to reduce their fares.

The minister made the appeal during a press briefing at his office on South Road, where he noted that several complaints have been made about unscrupulous operators who continue to exploit passengers, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

“In Guyana the prices have come down and we have reduced the prices significantly so that consumers can benefit,” the minister was quoted by GINA as saying.

The further reduction in fuel prices was announced by Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh on December 10. The Guyana Oil Company now retails gasoline at $555 per gallon, diesel at $696 per gallon, and kerosene at $477 per gallon. Along with the changes in these prices, gasoline will continue to be taxed at 50 per cent, diesel at a concessional rate of 40 per cent, and kerosene will attract no taxes, GINA stated.

Prashad added that the price of cooking gas is also being monitored and regular meetings are being conducted between the ministry and the business community to have prices reduced.

The National Milling Company of Guyana Inc. (NAMILCO) reduced the price significantly so a bag of flour is just under $6,000 which is the pre-subsidy level, so bread prices are supposed to revert to what they were before, Prashad said.

Meanwhile, Bakewell’s Bakery has reduced bread price by $20 following the recent reduction of the price of flour by NAMILCO, GINA added.