Gov't postpones declaring July fuel prices until pricing mechanism is made public

AMMAN — The government’s fuel pricing committee on Saturday decided to postpone the announcement of the July oil derivatives prices until the government announces its fuel pricing mechanisms, which it had pledged to share "clearly and transparently" with the public, the Jordan News agency, Petra reported.

Earlier this month, the Fourth Circle in Amman and other locations across the Kingdom witnessed several protests against fuel and electricity price hikes by Hani Mulki’s government as well as an income tax draft law. 

The protesters' calls found support across the country, and were followed by a Royal decree freezing the decision to hike prices.

The government's current decision postponed the pricing of unleaded 95-octane gasoline, unleaded 90-octane gasoline, kerosene, and diesel. 

The government stressed its commitment to an "open" and "transparent" approach under which citizens have the right to access information, and in the coming days will reveal the fuel pricing mechanisms with full details, according to Petra.

The government said that the decision will affect the country's Treasury as the global pricing marked an increase in fuel prices during June compared with April, noting that the current June and July prices are based on the global prices of April, not May.

The government said that in spite of the financial burden of this decision, the government will bear the consequences through austerity measures, adding that the pricing committee will proceed with its work in setting the monthly pricing by the end of July.

At the current rates, the prices of oil derivatives are: JD0.851 per litre for unleaded 90-octane gasoline, JD1.05 per litre for unleaded 95-octane gasoline and JD0.615 per litre for diesel and kerosene, while the gas cylinder price remains at JD7.

Also on Saturday, members of the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission announced an increase of 7 fils per Kilowatt-hour (kWh) to the electricity tariffs, which will be applied as on July 1 for all sectors and segments of the population, excluding households that consume 300 kWh or less per month, according to Petra.