The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is continuing to subsidise fuel and electricity costs as part of a broader effort to shield consumers from rising global prices, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced during his weekend radio programme.
Browne outlined the scale of the intervention, stating that every gallon of diesel consumed in the country is subsidised at a rate of $1.67. The support extends across the energy sector, including electricity production, to limit the financial burden on households.
"Even the electricity that you're burning today — every gallon of fuel that is utilized as diesel, utilized to produce electricity, is actually subsidized by the government at $1.67," Browne said, noting the measure is helping to prevent higher utility bills.
The Prime Minister framed the policy as an essential cost-of-living safeguard. "Ordinarily, if our government was not a caring government and we didn't hold the prices steady, you'd have seen an increase in your electricity bills," he said. He also highlighted the direct benefit to motorists, pointing out that purchasing ten gallons of fuel effectively represents $16.70 in government support per transaction.
While defending the policy as necessary, Browne acknowledged the significant financial strain it places on the public purse. He cautioned that the subsidy may not be sustainable if global prices remain elevated over the long term. Geopolitical tensions, he noted, could continue to drive fuel costs upward and place added pressure on government finances.
"We're doing all we can," Browne said, while making clear the government cannot guarantee indefinite support should international costs continue to rise.
The fuel subsidy forms part of a wider package of cost-of-living measures introduced by the government, which also includes tax relief initiatives and targeted social support programmes aimed at cushioning the impact of global economic pressures on Antiguan and Barbudan households.
