New retail fuel prices for October

For this month, the Indicative Retail Prices (IRP) for petrol, diesel and kerosene will decrease on average throughout PNG. These retail price decreases are mainly attributed to the average reduction in the imported costs of petrol, diesel and kerosene for this month, and also the average drop in the road freight rates for this quarter (October-December).

The domestic retail fuel prices for this month are inclusive of the Import Parity Prices (IPP), domestic sea and road freight rates for the third quarter of 2020, the 2020 wholesale and retail margins, excise duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST).

According to the ICCC’s calculations, retail fuel prices for petrol will increase, while prices for diesel and kerosene will decrease right across the country.

PORT MORESBY

As a result of adding all the various cost components mentioned above, the maximum retail prices for fuel in Port Moresby are as follows:

Retail prices in all other designated centres will change according to their approved in-country freight rates and their retail margins for 2020.

ALL CENTRES

For all centres, the maximum retail fuel prices for each petroleum product in the country will change on average as follows:

• Petrol prices will increase by 1.72 toea per litre;
• Diesel prices will decrease by 9.53 toea per litre; and
• Kerosene prices will decrease by 7.81 toea per litre.

As part of the ICCC’s enforcement and compliance of fuel prices, its investigation officers will conduct inspections at all service stations to ensure prices of petroleum products do not exceed the allowable maximum prices. The following ICCC officers will conduct compliance inspections in Lae, Mt Hagen, Kokopo and Port Moresby. Inspections in other provinces will be supported by ICCC contacts in those provinces. Please note:

• Mr. Christopher Gabesoa, Mr. Seri Tau Vali, Mr. Dennis Jerry and Mr. Bill Boiu will conduct compliance inspections to all service stations in the National Capital District. They can be reached on telephone number 325 2144;
• Ms. Pamela Ipambonj, Mr. Allen Monyomb and Mr. Timothy Ponau will conduct compliance inspections in Lae. They can be reached on telephone number 472 2859;
• Mr. Bobby Tei, Mr. Roman Rosting and Mrs. Dorcas Baining Julai will conduct compliance inspections in Kokopo, Rabaul, Kerevat, Warangoi and Toma. They can be reached on telephone number 982 9711; and
• Mr. Kevin Kondo and Mr. Jeffery Khar will conduct compliance inspections in Goroka, Kainantu, Kundiawa and Mt. Hagen. They can be reached on, following mobile numbers 7369 8251/ 7232 4861.

The prices set by the ICCC are the indicative maximum retail prices, for which retailers may choose to sell below the ICCC approved maximum price. The ICCC would like to remind retailers who sell fuel using pumps to set fuel prices to one decimal place while the ICCC will continue to set the maximum price to 2 decimal places.

No fuel pump operator should charge above the Indicative Retail Price for this month’s price regardless of the number of decimals. This is to ensure compliance with the Prices Regulation Act under which the maximum prices of refined petroleum products are set.

Retailers who are displaying prices to 1 decimal place are urged by the ICCC to round the prices down to ensure prices are within the allowable indicative retail prices. The ICCC Inspectors will continue to conduct spot checks after 8th October, 2020, to ensure ongoing compliance by fuel operators.

Consumers are advised to report any instances of overcharging by retailers through the ICCC’s Consumer Protection Division on 325 2144, on toll free number: 180 3333 or by contacting the regional offices closest to you on the numbers provided above.

(Refueling station in Buka)