By Charles Gbayor
IPNEWS-Harper, Maryland County: Residents of Harper are facing another financial blow as the price of gasoline has surged to LRD 1,400 per gallon, further compounding the challenges of daily life in the southeastern county. The steep price hike comes at a time when the scarcity of Liberian dollars has made it increasingly difficult for citizens to access cash and meet basic needs.
In 2023, Power Oil Liberia/Express Oil dedicated a US$6m modern storage facility in Harper City, Maryland County.
Accordingly, the investment will help in addressing age-old problems associated with the supply of petroleum products to major southeastern counties, including Maryland, River Gee, Grand Kru, and Grand Gedeh, respectively.
The facility contains three major tanks that will store about 940,000 gallons of fuel and gasoline respectively and it will help reduce the price of petroleum cost in the Southeast despite all these ,gasoline price continue to massively increased
This sharp rise in fuel prices is expected to have a ripple effect across the economy, driving up the cost of transportation, goods, and services, which are already under strain due to inflationary pressures. Local commuters and businesses, especially those reliant on transportation for goods and services, have expressed growing concerns over the economic impact of these rising fuel prices.
The scarcity of Liberian dollars has also exacerbated the situation, as many residents are unable to access adequate cash for their daily transactions. The shortage, coupled with increasing prices, has left many citizens struggling to keep up with the cost of living.
While authorities have yet to issue a formal statement on the cause of the gasoline price hike, many speculate that the shortage of foreign exchange reserves, supply chain disruptions, and global oil market fluctuations may have contributed to the soaring prices.
As the fuel crisis deepens, citizens in Harper and other affected areas are calling on the government to urgently address the issue and implement measures to stabilize prices and ease the growing burden on households. Without intervention, the current economic strain could worsen, placing even more pressure on Liberia’s already fragile economy.
For now, residents in the South eastern city of Harper continue to face mounting costs, as they anxiously await solutions to the ongoing fuel price surge and Liberian dollar scarcity.
