Petrojam diesel price rules revised as Government updates relief, courts and estate plans

Petrojam has changed how it adjusts automotive diesel oil and ultra-low sulphur diesel prices, effective Thursday, June 11, 2026, citing sharp swings in the international energy market after oil prices climbed following the US-Israel war on Iran that began in late February.

The refinery said its previous system limited weekly increases or cuts on those fuels to $4.50 per litre, leaving it to absorb as much as $21.67 per litre of an average $59.30 per-litre transport-fuel increase up to the end of May. Petrojam said that support cost almost US$22.7 million, or J$3.6 billion, over three months and weakened its ability to cover higher replacement costs for crude oil and finished products.

Under the new structure, the maximum movement for automotive diesel oil and ULSD is $12.50 per litre. Petrojam said the change will better reflect the US Gulf Coast benchmark while still shielding consumers from the full immediate impact of severe price movements, whether upward or downward. ULSD rises by $12.50, automotive diesel by $10.50 and kerosene by $4.50, while 87 and 90 gasoline, propane and butane fall by 25 to 98 cents per litre.

Finance and Public Service Minister Fayval Williams also defended the transfer of $500 million from the Financial Services Commission’s reserves, saying it will not endanger the regulator. Questions followed last Thursday’s Senate Regulations Committee meeting, after the FSC, which oversees securities, insurance and private pensions, reported a 2023 surplus but later disclosed losses above $500 million while seeking revised insurance fees. Williams said the decision followed a review of the FSC’s balance sheet and projections, and that future support was promised in writing if needed.

Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. said more than $10 billion has been spent on Hurricane Melissa relief since last October, including over $9.5 billion under the ROOFS programme and $152 million through UNICEF for affected PATH households and persons with disabilities. The ministry has launched the Humanitarian Assistance Relief Platform to verify applicants with TRN, contact, duplicate-record or address issues, with nearly 5,000 verified beneficiaries awaiting bank-detail confirmation.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck said four courthouses are planned for St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. Ann and Trelawny under NARA, with other court projects being pursued in St. Thomas, Manchester, St. Catherine, Portland, Kingston and Clarendon. He also said the Government will train mediators at the Administrator General’s Department to help release nearly $50 billion in estates left by people who died without wills.