The news in the Democratic Republic of Congo is very marked this Thursday, June 8 by an increase in fuel prices in the western part of the country. This new price structure, applicable from today, comes from a decree signed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Economy, Vital Kamerhe.
The objective of this increase is to preserve the balance of the petroleum product supply system, by strengthening the management of the petroleum subsidy and controlling the tax expenditure and the related budgetary cost. The new prices range from 2265.35 Fc for 1 US dollar at the pump, for gasoline, diesel and gas type fuels, up to 2061.06 Fc for the Fomi. Only oil remains at 2,450 Fc.
Although this measure is not easily accepted by some drivers, the government had already announced during the last increase in November 2022, that it was justified by the evolution of the parameters of the price structure of petroleum products, to relieve the treasury of oil companies and maintain the balance of the supply system in the country.
By applying this tariff increase to the provinces of Equateur, Kongo-Central, Kwango, Kwilu, Mai-Ndombe, Mongala, Nord-Ubangi, Sud-Ubangi, Tshuapa, in the city-province of Kinshasa, Boende as well as in consumption zone North with the cities of Mbandaka, Kisangani, Aketi, Bumba and the territory of Akula, the government also plans to contain budgetary expenditure in terms of oil subsidies.
In short, this measure is a way for the DRC state to strengthen the petroleum product supply system, while containing fiscal and budgetary expenditure. This increase protects oil companies and aims to maintain the balance of the fuel supply system in the country