Deputy Minister Sando’s Claim That ‘Petroleum Prices Dropped From L$1,700 to L$800′ Is Misleading

In Summary

• Deputy Information Minister for Press and Public Affairs Daniel Sando claimed that petroleum prices have dropped from LD$1,700 to LD$800

• We fact-check his claim by reviewing the petroleum product price circular before President Boakai’s inauguration and the current circular

• We found Deputy Minister Sando’s claim to be misleading

On September 9, Deputy Information Minister for Press and Public Affairs Daniel Sando claimed on Prime FM that “petroleum prices have dropped from LD$1,700 to LD$800.”He made the statement while highlighting what he described as achievements of the current administration since taking office, something he said the past administration could not do.

The Claim

Deputy Minister Sando’s exact statement: “Petroleum price has dropped from L$1,700 to L$800.”

Rating Justification

To fact-check this claim, we first contacted Minister Sando to clarify whether the $1,700 he mentioned refers to a price inherited from the George Weah’s administration. He has not responded to our inquiry. If he does, we will update this report.

The price ceiling for petroleum products on the Liberian market is set by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in consultation with the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company.

A review of the official circular for petroleum products dated January 15, 2024, just before President Boakai’s inauguration on January 22, shows that petroleum product, specifically a gallon of gasoline, was sold for US$4.47 or LD$845, while a gallon of fuel oil was sold for US$5.23 or LD$1000.00.

The conversion from US to LD is based on the Central Bank of Liberia exchange rate of LD$189 to US$1 at the time. This price, released by the government on January 15, 2024, contradicts Minister Sando’s claim that prices were at 1,700.

While further search by our Fact-Checking Desk found several reports of citizens agitating over the increase in prices of basic commodities, including petroleum products, the prices mentioned in those reports for petroleum products (see here, and here).

In March 2022, the government announced that the price per gallon of gasoline was $5.66 or LD875 and fuel oil at $6.00 or LD930 at the exchange rate of one United States Dollar to one hundred and fifty-five Liberian dollar. Despite these price increases, the cost for a gallon of petroleum product was not LD$1,700 as claimed by Sando.

However, to also determine whether prices have since dropped, we reviewed the current price circular issued on September 8, 2025. It sets the price of a gallon of gasoline at US$4.02 or LD$805, while a gallon of diesel was sold for US$4.33 or LD$865.00.

Conclusion

Based on these findings, we conclude that the claim made by Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando that petroleum prices have “dropped from 1,700 to 800” is misleading.

While there were agitations over increases in the prices of basic commodities, including petroleum products, the figures in dispute never reached LD$1,700 as he claimed.

Official price circulars released before President Boakai’s inauguration put the price of gasoline at US$4.47 / LD$845, not 1,700. The current circular, as of September 8, 2025, sets the price at US$4.02 / LD$805. Despite a reduction, the price was never LD$1,700 as claimed by the Deputy Minister.