Fuel prices rose throughout Tonga today with motor spirits reaching $2.22 per litre in Tongatapu and up to $2.95 in Niuatoputapu.

The price for Motor Spirit went up by 15.39 seniti per litre in Tongatapu, 'Eua, Ha'apai and Vava'u; and by 17.12 seniti at Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu.

The Secretary for the Competent Authority, Siasois Fifita announced the new retail price for Motor Spirit as of today, per litre is: Tongatapu $2.22, 'Eua $2.26, Ha'apai $2.44, and Vava'u $2.28.

In Niuatoputapu, if the fuel is bought from Tongatapu, the price for Motor Spirit is $2.93 per litre, but if the supply is bought from Vava'u, the price is higher at $2.95 per litre.

The Niuafo'ou consumers pay the highest price. If the supply was purchased from Tongatapu, a litre of Motor Spirit cost $2.98. If it was purchased from Vava'u, a litre costs $2.99.

However, the price for Diesoline and Kerosene came down.

The price for a litre of Diesoline dropped by 15.12 seniti, and a litre of Kerosene dropped by 11.24 seniti in Tongatapu, 'Eua, Ha'apai and Vava'u. At Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou, Diesoline went down by 17 seniti, and Kerosene by 12.5 seniti per litre.

The retail price for a litre of Diesolene is: Tongatapu $2.06, 'Eua $2.10, Ha'apai $2.28, Vava'u, $2.11. At Niuatoputapu if it is supplied from Tongatapu it is $2.75, but if it is supplied from Vava'u, a litre costs $2.77.

The Niuafo'ou consumers again pay the highest prices for Diesoline from Tongatapu $2.80 per litre, and kerosene at $2.16 per litre. If the Diesoline and the Kerosene were supplied from Vava'u, a litre of Diesoline costs $2.81 and Kerosene $2.16.

No reason was given for the price increases.

Electricity

In the meantime, the hike in the price of fuel would not push up the price of electricity.

The Acting Chief Executive of Tonga Power, David Wright explained this afternoon that the price of electricity could come down further in May.

He said that their price structure was currently under review and any new price could be effective in the meter reading in May, in the meantime the existing price would remain until then.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of Finance, 'Aisake Eke said that government terminated its 11 seniti per unit subsidy at the end of March. He said that when the price of electricity came down the government decided to withdraw its assistance and put it in other areas.