–Says government has already absorbed billions to shield citizens from rising energy costs

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday called on public transportation providers, fuel importers and private sector stakeholders to act responsibly and avoid placing additional pressure on citizens as global fuel prices continue to rise due to ongoing international instability.
In a national address, the Head of State said Guyana has already exhausted major policy measures to cushion consumers from inflationary shocks caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis and rising international energy and shipping costs.
The President’s remarks come amid growing complaints from commuters over unauthorised fare increases by some public transport operators.
“We are asking those who are supplying the public service to be fair to the consuming public,” President Ali said.

He stressed that transport operators and businesses benefitted significantly from the government’s decision to reduce excise taxes on imported fuel products to zero over the past several years, a move he said cost the state more than $100 billion annually.
According to the President, those measures allowed operators to enjoy substantial savings while keeping transportation costs stable.
“When we took excise tax to 0%, that translated to approximately $500 savings for citizens on every gallon of diesel or gas being purchased,” he explained.
President Ali noted that despite those reductions at the pump, there were no corresponding decreases in fares charged by minibuses, taxis, speedboats or other transport services.
“While government would have invested hundreds of billions of dollars annually to stave off any inflationary pressure at the pump and ensure that the prices remain stable, we did not see any corresponding reduction in taxi fares, air fares, corresponding reduction in the fares for minibuses,” he said.
Against the backdrop of renewed international fuel volatility, the President said operators must now play their part by reducing profit margins instead of transferring the full burden onto consumers.
“We expect that all of the operators will reduce their profit lines, so as to mitigate that impact, and also for the suppliers of public transportation to be socially responsible during this period,” President Ali stated.
The Head of State said the issue requires a collective national response involving both the government and private sector.

“In this period of volatility, for us to address this as a country, as a system, and not to adjust fares to the extent that it erodes consumer confidence and adds pressure on the consuming public,” he added.
President Ali also revealed that since March 2026, the government has continued subsidising diesel and gasoline prices through measures aimed at reducing profitability within the fuel supply chain in order to maintain market balance.
He further called on fuel importers and suppliers to also adjust their profit margins during the current global uncertainty.
“So, I call upon all the stakeholders, the importers of refined products to adjust their profit lines in this period of volatility,” the President urged.
Meanwhile, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, echoed the government’s appeal for restraint among transportation providers.
“In that context, we expect that good conscience will prevail and that we will not witness exorbitant increases in public transportation fares,” Dr Singh said.
He noted that government measures, including the removal of excise taxes and the absorption of operational costs for utilities such as Guyana Power and Light Inc. and Guyana Water Inc., were designed to protect citizens from external economic shocks.
On Monday, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill warned operators that no fare hikes have been approved and cautioned that those breaching licensing conditions could face suspension or revocation of permits.
The government has since reiterated that transport providers must comply with approved fare structures while authorities continue monitoring the sector.