WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament David Seferina is demanding an explanation from the Curaçao government over the recent simultaneous increases in gasoline, diesel, electricity and water tariffs, warning that the higher costs are placing significant pressure on household budgets.
In parliamentary questions dated September 30, Seferina said the issue has caused widespread concern, particularly because several basic expenses have increased within a short period. He argues that the impact will extend beyond household utility and fuel bills because higher transportation and production costs could eventually push up prices for other goods and services.
The parliamentarian is asking the government to provide a clear and simple explanation of the factors behind each increase and to show residents how fuel and utility tariffs are calculated.
One of his main questions concerns fuel prices. Seferina wants the government to explain which components of the gasoline and diesel price are determined by international market prices, transportation costs, taxes, margins and other expenses, and which parts of the final price can actually be influenced by the Curaçao government.
He is particularly questioning the difference between the latest increases in gasoline and diesel. According to the letter, diesel rose by 44 cents, compared with an increase of 12 cents for gasoline.
Seferina wants the government to explain what specifically caused diesel to increase by substantially more than gasoline.
The MFK parliamentarian is also seeking details about the latest increases in water and electricity rates. He refers to an increase of 71 cents for water and 7 cents for electricity and wants to know which costs or changes weighed most heavily in the tariff calculations.
Another question is whether the government independently reviews the calculations before new tariffs take effect.
Seferina asks who verifies that an increase is genuinely necessary and that consumers are not being required to pay more than can be justified.
He also wants to know whether the government conducted an assessment before the increases took effect to determine their combined impact on the monthly budget of an average Curaçao household.
The questions were submitted under Article 96A of the Rules of Order of the Curaçao Parliament and are directed to Minister of General Affairs and Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas.