Gasoline climbs for fourth time this year

PRICES  at the pumps will be jacked up on Friday February 22 for the fourth time this year with 95 octane gasoline edging towards $5 a gallon.

Meanwhile the government has announced that the introduction of ethanol, promised for April has been delayed until September.

The National Secretariat of Energy announced that a gallon of 95 octane gasoline will rise 22cents to $4.54, and 91 octane will climb 22 cents to $4.15 and diesel will add 15 cents bringing it to $4.8 a gallon. The prices are for Panama City and Colon. Motorists who live further from the capital will pay more.
The prices, which will remain in place until Friday, March 8, are close to those in April last year, and for those who believe that March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion, the prospects are not good.
Maintenance at refineries and various international economic events are some of the factors that have influenced the rise according to the Secretariat. Observers are concerned at the effect on food prices and the overall cost of living.