AMMAN —
Experts cautioned that another rise in kerosene and
diesel prices used for
cooking and heating will further burden Jordanians, as they gear up for the
winter season when consumption of the two essential commodities shoots up.
اضافة اعلان
Last week, the
government raised the prices of kerosene and diesel by 35 fils, and
simulatenously reduced the price of both grades of 90- and 95-Octane gasoline
by 15 fils, saying the decision was effective November 1.
Energy expert
Amer Al-Shobaki said that although the increase in the price of oil derivatives
takes place gradually, its effect on people is “significant”.
He explained
that low income Jordanians “feel this increase the most, and they find
themselves forced to cope with the new situation”.
Consumers in
Amman, Zarqa, and Irbid are switching to gas cylinders for heating because of
their fixed price.
The government,
however, should think about people in outlaying villages who believe that
heaters using kerosene and diesel are the best, and most economical option for
them, Shobaki noted.
Many Jordanians
believe that these heaters are part of the winter custom they cannot dispose
of, especially in households which grew accustomed to the kerosene-fueled
heaters they also use for cooking, including toasting bread and roasting sweet
potatoes.
According to
Shobaki, diesel and kerosene are essential to many families and there should be
a “drastic solution to help these people, such as providing them with gas
coupons for the three months of winter”.
He pointed out
that an increase in illegal logging is expected this winter, when many
Jordanians will opt for wood to heat up their homes.
Emad, a wall
painter and father of two girls, told
Jordan News that he decided to
“switch from kerosene to gas heaters”.
“But the thermal
energy of gas heaters is not the best,” he said.
“Now, I and my
family must all sit room, where the gas heater will be,” he said. “With the
doors and windows closed, the heating will not be propoer in the absence of
ventalation.”
Energy expert
Hashem Akel told
Jordan News that despite the increase in kerosene
prices, he believed that “the use of kerosene in heating is minimal in Jordan”.
“The majority of
Jordanian people are now using gas heaters, since it is safer for childern and
cannot flip over as easy as the kerosene fueled heaters,” he said.
He said that the
increase in oil prices is a global crisis, and that the government “bears a
huge burden of the price difference for gas”. He explained that in 2021, the
government paid around JD82 million for the price difference for gas, and until
last September the price difference was JD103 million.
Read more Features
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
