Jordan Times reported that while a recent government decision to increase fuel prices has been frozen, 1.5% hike in the price of 95 octane gasoline remains in force with the government and sector stakeholders offering conflicting explanations for this increase.

The government decided to raise the price of 90 octane gasoline from JOD 0.70 per liter to JOD 0.77, a 10% rise and the price of diesel from JOD 0.515 per liter to JOD 0.550.

The price update went into effect September 1st 2012 but later His Majesty King Abdullah directed the government to freeze the decision which was met by anger among the public and political parties as well as lawmakers.

In the government's statement announcing the price increases it said the price of 95 octane gas had been floated, not increased and that a rise of 15 fils from its previous price of JOD 1 per liter was the decision of gas station owners.

Mr Ahmad Hattab director of Gas Station Owners Association however insisted that the government had raised the price in its decision. Gas stations were instructed to price the higher quality fuel at JOD 1.015 per litre.

According to GSOA figures, consumption of 90 octane gas is nearly 10 times that of the more expensive 95 octane. Daily consumption of 90 octane gasoline ranges between 3,300 tonnes and 3,700 tonnes while consumption of 95 octane fuel is between 300 tonnes and 400 tonnes a day.

Source - Jordan Times

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