Previous Story
Gas breaches $4 mark with new 10-cent increase
|
Posted on Jan 25 2021
The upward trend in gas prices continues, with fuel prices in the CNMI breaching the $4 mark over the weekend.
Mobil Oil Marianas raised its prices first last Friday, increasing the price of its Extra Fuel by 10 cents a gallon. Shell Marianas followed suit on Saturday.
Gas prices went up 10 cents from $3.98 for a gallon of Extra fuel to $4.08 per gallon. Mobil’s Supreme fuel also increased by 10 cents from $4.43 per gallon to $4.53 per gallon.
The lowest price of fuel in the CNMI before the government shutdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic was $3.83. Gas is now 25 cents higher than pre-COVID days.
According to a Mobil employee, they are not informed about fuel increases. They tend to follow Guam’s prices and are only informed of an increase the night prior.
A 17-year-old motorist said she doesn’t think the price is too bad given that she has seen gas prices reach higher than $4.
Another motorist, a 54-year-old male, said he remembers when prices were just a few cents. He said, however, minimum wage has significantly increased since then so he understands.
According to various media outlets, gas increases are happening as people return to work, with COVID-19 protocols gradually loosening.
