Claim: Online platform Independent Probe has alleged that the government has increased petroleum prices amidst a struggling economy.
Verdict: False. Research showed that the government of Liberia did not increase petroleum prices; instead, it reduced them.
Full Text
A Liberian-based online news site, the Independent Probe, published a story on Saturday, Feb. 10, which suggested that the Liberian government headed by Joseph Boakai has increased the price of petroleum on the local market within weeks of taking office.
The article cited a circular issued by the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC) and the Ministry of Commerce, which jointly announced an adjustment in the petroleum price on the local market in February.
“The price of gasoline (PMS) has been adjusted by four United States Cents while the price of fuel oil (AGO) has been adjusted by twenty-two United States Cents, respectfully. These changes are based on the international prevailing market rate and the exchange rate, which falls in line with the Government’s commitment to making products available and affordable at all times,” the release stated.
However, in its write-up, the online platform took the announcement as an increase in gasoline and fuel oil prices. It stated that the government had adjusted the prices of gasoline (PMS) and fuel oil (AGO) to reflect international market rates as of Friday, Feb 9, 2024, by $0.04 in the pump price of Gasoline and $0.22 in fuel oil price.
The publication generated mixed reactions from Liberians due to the government’s mandate that promises economic stability.
As such, DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim to amplify the truth.
Verification
Shortly after the publication by the Independent Probe, the government, through its official Facebook page, described the content of the circular from the Ministry and the LPRC as “good news.” The Managing Director of the Liberia Refinery Company, Amos Tweh, also wrote on his Facebook page that the adjustment was a reduction contrary to the Independent Probe claim.
“LPRC and the Ministry of Commerce announce reductions in the pump prices of gas and diesel, respectively, for February. Thanks to the global price index (Platts),” said Tweh.
The LPRC management and the Ministry of Commerce maintained that the government of Liberia had reduced the price of petroleum products on the local market contrary to false and misleading information being spread by “unscrupulous individuals.”
In another release issued on Feb 10, 2024, the Management of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company said the government published the price circular, which showed the reduction in the prices of petroleum products.
“The price of gasoline, which was US$4.47, is now US$4.43/LRD 850.00 while the price of Diesel, which was US$5.23/is now US$5.01/LRD 960.00,” the release added.
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DUBAWA then contacted the publisher of the Independent Probe online news site, Mr Chester Smith, to see if he had evidence of an increase in fuel prices. He, however, stood by his story, accusing the ministry and LPRC of miscommunicating.
“The claims were legitimate, which lacks clarity on what adjustment was made to prices, whether upwards or downwards adjustments,” Smith said.
He said that the government release did not say the prevailing price before the adjustment; as such, the paper decided to use ‘deductive reasoning’.
“It was fair to say the Government had increased the price,” the publisher said.
Conclusion
Given the facts gathered, the Independent Probe Online News site publication on fuel hikes is false.
