PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament George Pantophlet hopes prices in supermarkets, hardware stores and other such establishments are being closely monitored, especially now in the hurricane season, to prevent price gouging.
Pantophlet said, "It is no secret that prices in some if not most of these businesses are dramatically increased during the hurricane season. This places an additional burden on the people of St. Maarten."
He added that it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, specifically the Department of Economic Control, to make sure that if a hurricane is imminent that prices are "frozen" to discourage any increase before or after a storm.
He said that it was also critical for the list of 12 government price-controlled items to be monitored in all districts, not only in the major supermarkets because those supermarkets do not reflect "a true picture" of prices everywhere. "What must not be neglected is the control on perishable items," added Pantophlet.
He said he will be sending a letter to Minister of Economic Affairs and Tourism Franklin Meyers requesting a report on the price controlled items, areas controlled and when the price comparisons were last published in the newspapers.
"Increasing the minimum wage and indexing has to be supported by strict controls and adherence to the price list established by government to benefit the wage earners," he said.
Pantophlet questioned the logic of government to allow the increase in gasoline prices to facilitate the sale of the wholesalers' current stock that was acquired when the oil prices were higher that they are now. He wants the Department of Economic Affairs to present proof of the purchase and sale of gasoline from January 2011 to present, as well as the price paid for the gasoline in Trinidad and the final price when it arrived here.
Pantophlet said he is "vehemently pursuing" a reduction of the cost of living for the people.
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