It remained unclear on Monday whether any of the striking liquid petroleum gas dealers will discontinue their strike before Christmas as they continued to demand a $22 increase for a 100-pound cylinder of LPG.
It would push the price past the $70 mark.
As the dealers reaffirmed their position by keeping their businesses closed, Minister of Trade and Industry Leslie Miller refused to budge from his position that that increase would just be too high.
The propane dealers participating in the strike closed their businesses two weeks ago after the Ministry of Trade and Industry reportedly indicated that the highest increase that would be approved for them is a $15 increase.
Peter Adderley, the public relations officer of the newly-formed Propane Gas Retailers Association, said Monday that the retailers have not had an increase in eight years.
He said they donﾴt want the situation to be dragged out through the media and would prefer to sit down and discuss the proposal like rational adults with the minister.
ﾓThe beauty of The Bahamas is that we live in a civilized society so it is not our intent to have a war of words by way of the media with Minister Leslie Miller,ﾒ he said.
ﾓThe position the association is taking is that [over the last 18 months] operational costs have increased, salaries have gone up, liability insurance, power and a number of essentials that go along with operating a business have gone up,ﾒ Mr. Adderley explained.
He said the membership has presented a proposal certified by the countryﾴs leading accountant justifying the numbers for the $22 increase.
ﾓWe think the increase being sought is very moderate,ﾒ Mr. Adderley said. ﾓIt is not reasonable for anyone to expect business people to continue to operate at a lost. We have every confidence in the prime minister and the cabinet members that once they give the proposal their full attention this matter would [be quickly resolved],ﾒ Mr. Adderley said.
The five gas retailers that are refusing to supply propane to their customers are: Bahamas Gas, Central Gas, Island Gas, Moss Gas and TropiGas. These retailers represent about 80 percent of the LPG market.
Mr. Adderley said, ﾓIt is the hope of the association that a formula would be created, just as one exists for the gasoline at the pump that will determine the increase or deductions for propane gas so that at no other time in our history we will have to depend on the discretion of a particular minister to determine whether or not an increase is necessary at the time.ﾒ
Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
