BY ALEX DADAMU
FOOD, vehicle fuel, transportation costs for imported goods, and taxi prices are up dramatically compared to a year ago.
Local fuel prices in the new month of July hit SBD$15 in Honiara today forcing bus service owners to impose an increased bus fare charges to commuters.
Bus drivers when queried by Sunday Isles cited the increase of fuel prices in the country and globally as the sole reason to impose the bus fare increase of $3 to $5 today.
According to data by one of the country’s major fuel distributors, South Pacific Oil Limited, Unleaded Petrol (ULP), Diesel and Kerosene further soared by around $1 compared to June of 2022 and are currently sitting at, ULP- $13.9, Diesel – $15.03 and Kerosene – $15.23.
Meanwhile, responding to the situation, the Honiara City Council Lord Mayor, Stanley Siapu in a statement pointed out that the issue is beyond the power of the Council to address because the Honiara City Council does not have powers to deal with price control of goods and services.
The Lord Mayor however calls for a meeting with Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Ministry of Commerce, Industries and Labour, and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to look into this issue.
Lord Mayor Siapu said whilst he sympathises with the bus owners, he asked for them to maintain the bus fare at $3.00.
Meanwhile, latest development on this issue later.
