By Staff Writer
Higher fluctuating fuel prices have not shown any noticeable changes in the flow of cars at petrol stations or on the roads around the Apia urban township.
Many of the main operators like the Toleafoa chain of petrol stations, have not seen any obvious difference in the normal everyday habit of cars pulling up for petrol.
Traffic congestions during peak hours are still moving bumper to bumper in long, slow moving lines as well.
Petroleum Products Supplies, PPS, General Manager, Mr. Fereti Felipe, noted no clear effects as well on the volume of top up supplies to petrol stations in the past few weeks.
“Compared to previous periods the rate of use is similar,” he explained but has not been able to show any comparative figures.
Petroleum prices are monitored closely through the Energy Division of the Ministry of Finance with monthly updates of new rates.
“Retail prices recorded the highest ever for us in Samoa last month (August) with diesel at $4.69 a liter and petrol at $4.50 liter,” a senior energy official with the Ministry of Finance reflected.
“The prices dropped again by a few sene for this month, September.”
Prices at the beginning of the year in February for petrol was at $2.93 a liter and $2.84 for diesel.
New prices are expected for the month of October starting up at the end of this week.
The lack of any slowdown influence of higher fuel prices on normal rates of use is seen mainly as a matter of choice and convenience.
“As a working mother what choice do I have when the children have to be dropped off at school and picked up again,” one anxious mother reacted.