ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC:
ANTIGUA AND Barbuda's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has announced a hike in fuel prices here.
Spencer said gasolene will be increased from EC$9.30 (US$3.44) to $11.89 (US$4.40) per gallon - a hike of $2.59 (US$0.95). Diesel will now be retailed at $10.44 (US$3.86) per gallon.
Spencer said rising oil prices across the world and the effects of Hurricane Kartina in the US Gulf Coast has forced the government to increase prices.
He said the government has absorbed some of the cost and called on service station dealers and bus drivers not to increase their prices.
The Antiguan leader said the government would also announce new measurers to soften the effect of the increase. He, however, did not specify what these measures would be.
