At present the price at the pump is EC$9.75, and effective Monday May 14 the price will be EC$ 11.50.

Sir Louis made the announcement at a media briefing held at Cabinet Room. He told journalists that government had been subsidising the price at the pumps by EC $2.40, totalling one point one million dollars a month, although it was increasing steadily. "It is unsustainable, we cannot maintain that kind of subsidy," he said.

The Acting PM also disclosed that the price of diesel would not be increased. This decision, he pointed out, was taken to prevent "unnecessary hardship on Vincentians."

With respect to the minibus drivers, Sir Louis said 90% of minibuses in St. Vincent and the Grenadines were diesel operated. He said the remaining 10% would have the option of accessing the subsidy grant set up by government to ensure that the travelling public was not affected. Sir Louis noted that even with the increase government would still be "losing money". Diesel is being subsidised by EC 11 cents per gallon.