This is because the Leadership of the Coalition of Commercial Transport Operators present at the meeting with the government confirmed the directive to GOIL.

The Company subsequently suspended its membership from the Association of Oil Marketing Companies, AOMC’s after the Association accused it of being under the control of the government.

Research Analyst with IES, Fritz Moses described GOIL’s decision as unfortunate.

”We had confirmation from the PRO of the GPRTU who was in the meeting with the government and so GOIL coming out to say there has not been any directive from the government is quite doubtful . Whether we like it or not, the government holds majority shares in GOIL so whatever decision they take would have to have the majority shareholders approval”.

Mr. Moses said the government’s interference in the activities of GOIL defeats the purpose of the deregulation policy on which the AOMC operates.

”There should be some respect to the deregulation policy where the AOMCs are at liberty to determine prices of products, in response to the directive (to GOIL) because if government is directing GOIL to reduce its prices, then it goes to downplay the purpose of the deregulation policy.