Walters blasts gov’t over ‘economic rape’ at the fuel pump

With fuel prices set to decrease from midnight on Friday, opposition senator and shadow energy minister Ryan Walters launched a fierce attack on the government, accusing it of neglecting consumers for over 16 months. 

While acknowledging the “long overdue” price reduction as a welcome relief, Senator Walters did not mince words, asserting that the government owes Barbadians an apology and a rebate for failing to act sooner.

“The price should have been reduced as far back as October 2023. Barbadians have endured over 435 days of unnecessarily inflated fuel prices despite consistent data showing international oil prices trending downward,” he told Barbados TODAY.

The opposition senator scolded the government for what he called a public relations stunt smack in the middle of Christmas, while accusing the administration of “economic rape”.

He said: “Bajans have grown sick and tired of this administration’s PR stunts. The timing of this pending decrease is not lost on us. We caution Bajans not to see this adjustment as some sort of nicely wrapped Christmas gift. But to call it out for what it is: it is over one year of economic rape at the pumps.”

The opposition’s lone parliamentary voice on commerce suggested three critical actions that must follow the price adjustment: an apology, a transparent explanation, and compensation for consumers.

“The government should formally apologise to the people of Barbados for its inaction. This isn’t a gift; it’s correcting an egregious wrong,” Senator Walters said. He called for a detailed explanation, supported by facts, to clarify why the reduction was delayed and what prompted the timing of the decision now.

“The people deserve to know why their pockets were stretched for so long despite all indicators suggesting that prices should have fallen months ago,” he said, urging the government to calculate the financial burden imposed on consumers over the past 15 months and consider retroactive adjustments.

“Barbadians were unfairly forced to bear inflated costs. How does the government intend to make this right?” he queried.

The DLP spokesman further criticised the administration for its selective approach to price adjustments, accusing it of hastily increasing prices when oil costs rise internationally but dragging its feet when prices fall.

“When the import price goes up, consumers pay overnight. Why is it that savings don’t flow back with the same urgency?”

He also highlighted the lack of clarity and accountability from key government figures. He questioned whether the administration is truly addressing the rising cost of living, calling the situation “an insult to the citizens of Barbados.”

The senator concluded by stressing that fairness and transparency are not optional, but a duty owed to every Barbadian.

“This reduction is no favour by the government — it is their obligation to pass on savings to the people. From motorists at the pump to households relying on LPG and kerosene, every consumer deserves to see the benefits of reduced international oil prices,” Senator Walters added. (IMC)