DUBAI // Residents say a dip in fuel prices next month is of little relief to their pockets as costs of living continue to rise across the country.
The Ministry of Energy announced on Tuesday that fuel costs for cars will drop around 5 per cent starting on Saturday as prices fall for a fourth consecutive month.
Consumers will pay Dh1.86 a litre for Super 98, compared to last month’s figure of Dh1.96. Special 95 will decline to Dh1.75 from Dh1.85, and E Plus will cost Dh1.68, down from June’s Dh1.78. Diesel prices will drop to Dh1.84, a 3.16 per cent slide from last month.
Saeda Abdulhay, a private tutor, commutes between emirates daily, “I commute to different Emirates and areas to give French lessons and petrol prices has been included in my household’s budget. I pay around Dh1,200 for petrol and it’s a significant amount of money. It’s crazy but true.”
Mrs Abdulhay drives a Nissan Patrol and pays around Dh145 every time she visits the petrol station.
“My daughter uses the car when she goes out over the weekend. I ask her to put fuel from her weekly allowance,” she said.
The Algerian expatriate said petrol prices were much lower when she first moved to Dubai three years ago.
“Three years ago, I don’t remember that petrol prices were this expensive. Honestly, everything has become more expensive and that’s why I usually check the recent petrol prices,” she said.
Mrs Abdulhay said she could take shorter routes to save petrol but must then factor in the cost of Salik gates.
The Ministry of Energy began liberalizing fuel prices from August 2015, using benchmark prices that have not been publicly disclosed. Before the new system took effect, fuel prices were more varied – Super 98 cost Dh1.72 a litre while Diesel cost Dh2.90.
Nour Khalil, a Lebanese expat who owns beauty salon in Ras Al Khaimah also commutes between different emirates daily.
“I commute from Ras al Khaimah to Sharjah, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi on a daily basis. Usually I have clients living in other emirates and a group from the beauty salon needs to be taken to the client’s location. Also, I buy most of our equipment from different shops in Dubai.”
She said that in her ten years of running the business the last three years have been less profitable.
“Three years ago, this business used to cover the salon’s expenses and make more than Dh30,000 profit,” the mother-of-four said.
“You think that commute is the hardest part in my trip, but filling up my car with petrol at least three times a week and paying more than Dh400 is frustrating,” said Mrs Khalil, who drives a Nissan Altima.
“My husband and I are checking the fuel prices regularly now because it became a huge part of our monthly expenses and life is becoming more expensive in terms of electricity, school fees and rent” Mrs Khalil said.
Another business-owner in Dubai said he has also started to include petrol prices in his monthly budget.
Mohammed Fedaa commutes between Sharjah and his audio production company in Silicon Oasis and has regular meetings in Abu Dhabi.
“I fill up my car with petrol three times a week. It costs Dh110 each time,” Mr Fedaa – who drives a Jeep Wrangler – said.
“Saik and petrol are becoming huge financial burden.”
Result
Qualifier: Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Lahore: Eliminator 1 - Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators
Wednesday, Lahore: Eliminator 2 – Karachi Kings v Winner of Eliminator 1
Sunday, Karachi: Final – Islamabad United v Winner of Eliminator 2
Race card
1.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
3pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1.950m
3.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
More on animal trafficking
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
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SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 20: 11am to 7pm - Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival and Para jiu-jitsu.
Sunday, April 21: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (female) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Monday, April 22: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (male) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Tuesday, April 23: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Wednesday, April 24: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Thursday, April 25: 11am-5pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Friday, April 26: 3pm to 6pm Finals of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Saturday, April 27: 4pm and 8pm awards ceremony.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
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