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CNMI sees first gas price increase of 2022
After weeks of continuous rollbacks in fuel prices, the CNMI saw its first price adjustment of the year, with gas prices up 15 cents.
Late afternoon yesterday, Mobil Oil Marianas took the lead with a 15-cent increase in fuel prices.
Mobil’s Extra fuel went up from $4.81 a gallon yesterday to $4.96. Mobil also hiked its Supreme fuel from $5.26 to $5.41 a gallon while its diesel increased from $5.08 a gallon to $5.23.
Shell Marianas has yet to increase its prices as of 7pm press time but both oil companies typically mirror each other’s price changes, so Shell is expected to impose the same increase today.
According to a local driver, she said the increase really sets the tone for fuel prices in 2022.
“People may disagree but I’m sure this really has set the tone for 2022. I’m sure we’re bound to see a steady increase from here on out after the brief period of relief when fuel prices went down. That’s just my opinion,” she said.
Another driver, a 32-year-old male, said the year has really started off bad and the increase in fuel prices just proved that.
“Can you imagine, we started the year with multiple COVID-19 deaths, a stabbing that ended with a man dead. The increase in gas prices is just the icing on top. The year just didn’t start right to begin with,” he said.
A gas attendant said its standard for fuel to increase around this time of year.
“It usually happens around this time with people returning to work after the holidays, which means people are back on the road. It’s always been like this,” he said.
