Motorists could face higher prices at the pumps as the government warns that the cost of shielding consumers from elevated international petroleum prices may no longer be sustainable.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the Treasury had forgone more than EC$30 million in revenue over roughly six months while an additional liability to the West Indies Oil Company could bring the total burden to about EC$40 million.

He said Antigua and Barbuda had maintained pump prices of approximately EC$14.25 and EC$14.50 for diesel and gasoline respectively, among the lowest in the region outside oil-producing Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

Browne blamed continued global instability, including the prolonged conflict involving Iran, for keeping petroleum costs high. He said the administration remained hopeful that the situation would ease before year-end.

However, he cautioned that the government would eventually have to hold a public conversation and may be forced to increase fuel prices if the financial losses continue.