A large number of drivers rushed to petrol stations across Seychelles on Thursday afternoon after the government announced higher fuel prices.
The rush followed a government announcement made hours before the new prices took effect. The increase applied to gasoil and mogas, commonly known as diesel and petrol.
The government increased both fuel prices by SCR2 per litre. Diesel now costs SCR25.19 per litre on Mahé. On Praslin, diesel costs SCR1 less under a measure the government introduced to ease the cost of living on the inner islands.
Meanwhile, petrol now costs SCR24.68 per litre. The increase also applies at marine refuelling stations for both diesel and petrol.
State House said the fuel price increase forms part of the government’s ‘Accelerated Recovery Framework’.
The Chief Executive of the Seychelles Petroleum Company (SEYPEC), Captain Adrian Mondon, urged the public not to hoard fuel.
“It is important to note, it has been five months since we are in the crisis. Yes, we have increased prices at two occasions but we are still at a cheaper price compared to the crisis of 2022 following the war of Ukraine and Russia. We still have a cheaper fuel price compared to then. So we are asking the public to avoid hoarding at petrol stations.”
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Bernard Georges criticised the government’s decision and its description of the measure.
In a statement, Mr Georges said the government should have presented the decision simply as a fuel price increase instead of calling it an “Accelerated Recovery Framework”.
He argued that the wording sought to make the measure appear more acceptable while projecting an image of decisive leadership.
Furthermore, Mr Georges compared the terminology with what he described as past political language used to reframe unpopular decisions. He said the government’s choice of words attempted to disguise the impact of the fuel price increase through its messaging.