The views expressed herein are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of One News SVG.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced measures to address the cost-of-living. Among them was a cap on VINLEC’s fuel surcharge. I welcome this development.
Indeed, I see it as partial implementation of my recent proposal for an abolition of the fuel surcharge altogether. I made this proposal by way of an article that was published by One News SVG on 16th May 2026.
Nevertheless, I do not believe that the government has gone far enough on this matter. First of all, the cap is so high at $0.77 per unit of electricity that might not actually have an effect on prices. Historically, the fuel surcharge has probably never exceeded this level.
By the implementation of a cap, the government validated the logic of my proposal. Essentially, my argument is that Vincentians should not have to face a different price for electricity every month. If van drivers and taxi drivers can’t change their fares every month in response to gas prices, why should VINLEC be allowed to do it with respect to an issue that is more fundamental to the public interest?
Why should it be possible for a person to have to pay more for electricity when they use less of it?
This is an irrational model.
I would like the government to go the full distance by abolishing the fuel surcharge and instituting a fixed price for electricity.
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