The latest increase by the Government of Liberia in gas and fuel prices has already begun creating deep holes in the pockets of Liberian consumers including passengers. The price hike is leading to the general rise in the prices of basic goods and services, especially transportation costs.
Multiple passengers and consumers, including commuter Mulbah Koquoi, have raised serious alarm about this sudden price rise. Speaking to Verity News, Koquoi said that service providers including commercial drivers now see this as an opportunity to exploit and overcharge.
“We used to pay L$300 from Kakata City to Monrovia in taxi before the government could even announce the increase in gas and fuel prices few hours ago. I just came from Kakata today. I paid L$500 for a one-way taxi ride. Some taxi drivers are even charging L$550,” Passenger Mulbah Koquoi told Verity News
The latest move by commercial drivers to charge such an exorbitant fare constitutes a 66.67% increase in just transport cost from Kakata to Monrovia. Economic analysts say the increase in transportation costs directly leads to the increase in the costs of other commodities.
Today, the Government of Liberia announced increases in gas price by US$0.85 and fuel price by US$0.90
