• Home

Authorities silent as LPG prices shoot up

SHARJAH – Residents have complained that despite a promised control on LPG cylinder prices, authorities were not pursuing the matter anymore. The officials, however, say that the prices were actually dictated by the international market price.

According to the complaints, prices of the gas cylinders have once again shot up to the previous high. “I again have to pay a price that I was paying some four months back. Now it is Ramadan and the authorities need to do something to check the prices,” said Zaki Ullah, a resident of Sharjah.

In April this year, consumers of cooking gas were given a temporary reprieve ranging between Dh15-20 following directives from the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SDED). SDED's initiative was part of a series of measures to control the price hike.

Authorities said that the prices were actually dictated by the international market price. They had, nevertheless, decided to review and revise the LPG cylinder price on the sixth of every month, beginning May 6 which they are still doing.

Said another resident, “The interesting part is that the sellers are ready to bargain the price. One shop owner offered to reduce the price by Dh5 and this included the delivery,” said Shameem Akhtar, a consumer. “This means that there is a good profit margin that the retailers are earning,” she added.

“I recently had to order a cylinder from my watchman, but he charged me Dh5 more than the price I normally pay to suppliers. I am sure this is illegal,” she said.

Ali bin Salim Al Mahmoud, Director-General of SDED, said that his department has been closely following the price hike patterns in the cooking gas prices in the emirate and its impact on consumers over the months.

He said that SDED had already persuaded officials from companies supplying the cooking gas to address the problem and find suitable solutions.