Dear Editor,
On my way to Berbice yesterday morning, the driver stopped at Choke Gas Station on the East Coast of Demerara to purchase gas and pointed out to everyone in the vehicle that the gas price is increasing. Two other persons in the car agreed.
At the beginning of the curfew as a result of the COVID-19, the price for gas was reduced significantly to help cushion the drivers’ expenses due to the required reduction in of the amount of passengers, etc. Whilst many taxis and minibuses operators genuinely embraced the new requirements, some minibus operators are demanding more than the regular fare.
Hire cars working the Georgetown-Berbice route have reduced their passengers to three instead of the four they normally carry, but increased the fare from $1,500 to $2,000. In other words, the three passengers are forced to pay for the missing fourth passenger. Despite the promises, the fuel prices have increase and I am quite sure so will the fares.
Editor, price gouging started since the COVID-19 measures were put in place, and presently many supermarkets and shops shelves are practically empty of imported items. What is available, comes with an extra cost. In a time of being human and helping one another, we are seeing the beast arising. Work is not available, but many businesses do not care.
Some are of the opinion that coconut water is helpful and farmers have been selling one coconut for between $60 to $100, depending on the size and type of coconut. Amazingly, a water coconut is now selling for $180 to $200 and in some remote places selling for more. Similarly with fish and vegetables. The farmers get what amounts to a stipend for their produce, whilst the vendors are selling for two times the amount.
This just shows the way Guyana is heading. Brace yourself Guyana. Expect the worst and be prepared.
Yours faithfully,
Sahadeo Bates
