Premier urges BVI to brace for possible fuel price increases
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has warned that residents should prepare for higher fuel prices, saying global developments could drive up costs that will affect the entire economy.
Dr Wheatley, appearing on the Honestly Speaking radio programme recently, said the territory’s heavy reliance on imported fuel means it remains vulnerable to international events beyond its control.
“The first things persons must understand is that we’re in a global village,” Dr Wheatley said. “We see things happening in faraway places and no one ever really makes the connection of what happens in these faraway places to what happens in the BVI.”
The Premier noted that conflicts in oil-producing regions can directly influence fuel costs in small island territories such as the BVI.
“One of them is, of course, with fuel,” Premier Wheatley explained. “And we are heavily dependent on fuel. And it’s really very little we can do to influence the cost of fuel.”
He said that while the availability of fuel for the territory is not currently under threat, residents should expect increases if global oil prices rise.
“The supply of fuel to the Virgin Islands is not a concern at this time in terms of availability of fuel. But the price will be a concern to us,” Dr Wheatley stated.
He added that higher oil prices would have a ripple effect across the local economy.
“We’ll have to brace ourselves for when oil prices rise, everything gets more expensive,” Dr Wheatley said.
The Premier explained that the territory’s dependence on fossil fuels leaves it exposed to global market shocks and geopolitical events linked to oil-producing countries.
“So if we truly want to mitigate against the risk of higher prices, which ultimately affects the price of everything in our society, we have to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels,” he said.
Dr Wheatley pointed to government efforts to expand renewable energy as part of a long-term strategy to reduce dependence on imported fuel. Among the initiatives mentioned was the Solar Technology Energy Programme (STEP), which subsidises the installation of solar panels on homes.
According to the Premier, the programme is already underway, with hundreds of applications from residents seeking to install rooftop solar systems.
He also referenced the use of solar energy in Anegada, where the island has operated largely on solar power for extended periods due to its smaller population.
However, Premier Wheatley acknowledged that larger islands such as Tortola require broader strategies to reduce fuel reliance and shield the territory from future price shocks.
He stressed that the territory must pursue energy diversification as a long-term safeguard against rising oil costs and economic disruptions tied to global energy markets.
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Possible?, you already know they going jack that price up, even on oil they aint import yet…yall sick
More importantly, what is this government doing to mitigate the impact of this eventuality?
Or, are we most likely to see a surge because your Government has allowed Sunoco to buy both Sol and Delta, effectively give them a monopoly, especially on Liquid Propane.
Sir, Honorable Premier When will your Government Stop wasting our Money on trying to secure Votes for next Election By giving it away to your Select Friends and Families.
Tell Us, Honorable Premier when will your Government Stop Playing Dolly House and Start doing the Work of a Responsible, Competent Government in looking after the Welfare of ALL the people of these Virgin Islands?
Tell Us Honorable Premier When will you agree to step aside and allow Someone with the Know – How to Govern a Country, To Spend our Money Responsibly, To Listen to the People and Not to make decisions without the Input of the People and say thats what the People want?
Tell Us Honorable Premier, When will we, The People Be told about our 5 million Dollars that went Missing in The BOA?
Tell Us Honorable Premier, Why is your Government now rushing Projects when Monies were there for your three plus Years in Office and before But only now being Spent?
Tell Us Honorable Premier, when can the Minimum Wage Workers expect to hear about a Proper Working Wage for them to be able to Live Comfortable Lives and take Care of their Families?
Tell Us Honorable Premier when can We, The People expect to have the Candidates running for Premiership Run At-Large?
USVI : Local gas stations do not raise your prices!!! or else!
BVI: Yall ready for corona round 2? oh wait the local prices never went back to normal since 2020? my bad so corona round 1.1 thennnn
price control?
500% profits? 2 dollar and 5 dollar discounts?
minimum wage 7.50?
if 7.50 was deem good enough to live off on then why did all politicians seek more pay for themselves on the new pay raise scale? hmmm weird
Yo ain hear de man seh it beyond our control wah yo waa he do go up deh en tell um some bard wud.
You’re either a sheep, don’t know or point out dumb
Prepare for a shortfall in your budget also.
What are you going to do to help the people of the BVI Mr Premier l filled up my jeep Monday night and it was $60.00 not bad by Bob’s Gas station. You don’t feel the average citizen pain at the pump because you and rest Minsters drive around in you all expensive Black Audi, Haval , Jeep Cherokee and Minister of Education got a new Black Honda Pilot now with vehicle allowance means free gas. You here talking nonsense about renewable energy and people out here struggling and you just sweet talking folks out here in these streets. You guys don’t even finds ways to help your people just talking and running your mouth.
The vehicles belong to all tax payers. We bought them, pay for the gas and whatever else the needs are.
and any other fees associated with the importation of fuel. Then cut government spending by the corresponding amount.
Can start with your travel budget…
What is WHEATLEY going to do now that the fuel prices are going up!
I KNOW
HE IS GOING TO FLY TWICE AS MUCH!
Another excuse for the kleptocrats to thief more from the $7.50 people.
The government could at least ensure that the gas stations hold their existing price on gasoline they currently have in stock.
Yes, we are in a “global village” and you, sir, are clearly the village idiot.