The Minister of Mines and Energy, Adolfo Sachsida, said he was against the federal government’s interference in fuel prices. The statement, made at a public hearing in the Chamber of Deputies this Tuesday (21), comes amid tension in the government after Petrobras’ new adjustment in the price of diesel and gasoline as of last Saturday (18).
“I have to be clear: it is not possible to interfere with the price of fuel. It’s not in the government’s control, and honestly, pricing is a company decision, not the government’s,” he said.
Despite that, Sachsida said the federal government is trying to ease the rise in fuel prices by reducing federal taxes and, with congressional help, limiting taxation of national entities.
“It is a step that finds support in the main European economies and in several American states, which reduce taxation to lessen the economic effect of the Ukrainian war on the most vulnerable population”, he said. “I understand that many of you are charged by the population, who do not understand why the government does not interfere in the price of fuel”.
The Minister also spoke about his decision to change the command of Petrobras. “I want to emphasize that I respect President José Mauro, the former president of Petrobras. As soon as I took over as minister, I thought it was good to promote a change in the company because I believe it is a time to increase competition. That’s why I nominated Caio Paes de Andrade”.
“Does the new president meet the requirements? Yes, to the best of my knowledge the new nominee satisfies all the necessary requirements to be at the helm of this company”.
*In update
Source: CNN Brasil
