Petroleum taxes and margins enjoyed by oil marketing companies will come into sharp focus as the government races against time to lower the cost of fuel within the next seven days, in a bid to avert yet another economic shutdown.

With international oil prices well beyond the government’s control, and the fuel subsidy kitty all but exhausted, a raft of taxes applied on petroleum products will become the focal point for State negotiators seeking to appease Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators.