Jugnauth Calls Fuel Price Hikes 'One of the Biggest Lies' Told to Mauritians

Former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has sharply criticised the current government over the surge in fuel prices in Mauritius, calling the justifications offered to the public "one of the biggest lies" ever told — and warning that ordinary Mauritians are bearing the true cost. "Se enn de ban gro mansonz ki zot in koze, lepep pe pey sa pri bien ser" — loosely translated from Mauritian Creole: "This is one of the biggest lies they have told; the people are paying a very high price for it" — Jugnauth said, in remarks reported by Le Défi Media. The statement marks the latest political flashpoint over fuel pricing in Mauritius, an issue that has rapidly become one of the most sensitive economic grievances facing the island's population. **A sharp rise in pump prices** Fuel prices in Mauritius have climbed significantly in recent months. Petrol and diesel costs at the pump have risen by close to Rs 20 per litre over a seven-month period, placing pressure on household budgets and transport costs across the island. The State Trading Corporation (STC) — the government body responsible for importing and pricing fuel in Mauritius — adjusts pump prices periodically based on global oil markets, the rupee-dollar exchange rate, and a range of taxes and levies. Critics argue the formula lacks transparency and consistently disadvantages consumers. The Association pour la Protection de l'Environnement et des Consommateurs (APEC), a Mauritian consumer advocacy group, has previously stated that the country's fuel pricing mechanism "has failed consumers," echoing concerns raised by opposition politicians and civil society. **What Jugnauth is alleging** Jugnauth, who leads the opposition Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) — the party he headed while serving as Prime Minister from 2017 until his electoral defeat in November 2024 — did not spell out which specific claims he was labelling as falsehoods in the excerpts reported. However, his remarks appear to target the government's explanations for the price increases, suggesting they do not accurately reflect the real drivers behind what consumers are paying at the pump. His comments are likely to intensify the political debate around fuel pricing at a time when many Mauritians are already feeling the strain of broader cost-of-living pressures, including rising food prices and a weaker rupee. **What this means for Mauritians** For everyday consumers — commuters, small business owners, fishermen, and farmers — higher fuel prices translate directly into higher costs for transport, food distribution, and livelihoods. Unlike some countries, Mauritius does not offer a generalised fuel subsidy to cushion price shocks at the pump. The fuel pricing debate is also politically charged because the government controls the STC mechanism, meaning any increase can be portrayed as a policy choice rather than a purely market-driven outcome. As the opposition sharpens its messaging ahead of future electoral cycles, fuel prices look set to remain a central battleground in Mauritian politics. Source: Le Défi Media