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Consumer Protection Bill to reach HoA before 2018 ends- Hon Marlon A. Penn

Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) has said the long awaited Consumer Protection Bill is expected to be tabled in the House of Assembly before the end of 2018. Photo: VINO
The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government has promised a Consumer Protection Bill for years and has even been lambasted for the lack of it by former Governor John S. Duncan OBE. Photo: Internet Source
The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government has promised a Consumer Protection Bill for years and has even been lambasted for the lack of it by former Governor John S. Duncan OBE. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) has assured that the long anticipated Consumer Protection Bill will be taken before Cabinet soon.

Hon Penn was at the time in the presence of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) at the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs on January 18, 2018 when he gave the assurance to journalists, when asked about the long awaited legislation.

Consumers have been pleading with the government of the day to put legislations in place to put a grip on vendors who are being accused of inflating prices indiscriminately.

This situation grew worse following the devastation of the territory, first by the August 2017 flash flooding and the subsequent hurricanes of September 2017.

The government had relaxed taxes on the importation of food, clothing, building materials, motor vehicles and other items deemed necessary for the rebuilding of the territory. However, consumers continued to cry foul, alleging that prices are skyrocketing while salaries remain fixed and slashed in some instances. Many persons also joined the "unemployed" list during this time.

Legislation will protect businesses too

Late last year, Premier Smith rose to the defence of the vendors claiming that suppliers had inflated prices, hence the pressure being felt by consumers. Hon Penn also supported this claim at the January 18, 2018 press conference, but said businesses needed protection also.

"I think it's very important for us to really protect not just the consumers but to protect the businesses as well because the businesses are being accused of things which in fact they are not actually doing," Hon Penn stated, adding that he has seen hard documents to support his point.

But Hon Penn said the draft legislation for the long awaited Consumer Protection Bill has reached the desk of Premier Smith.

"I think the next step now is for cabinet to make a decision and then for the Attorney General's chambers to finalise the draft legislation to go to the House of Assembly," said Hon Penn, who also said it is intended that the legislation will be tabled in the House of Assembly before the end of 2018.

18 Responses to “Consumer Protection Bill to reach HoA before 2018 ends- Hon Marlon A. Penn”

  • Hogman (21/01/2018, 11:49) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    I don’t need this govt to pass one more legislation on my behalf. The entire ndp just need to get the hell out. Everything they touch is problems.
  • cay (21/01/2018, 12:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    they will paly tricks one reading then it will die in the house
  • election (21/01/2018, 15:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Because it’s election
    • we need reveune (22/01/2018, 01:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      What a great idea. i wish politicians (both sides) listen to you
  • justme (21/01/2018, 16:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are heading into another active hurricane season. I hope that they keep time in mind as people cannot go through the “price raping” again if another devastating hurricane hits our shores (God forbid it please)!
  • Millionaire (21/01/2018, 18:26) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Another opportunist who became a millionaire under the NDP- he don't care a ting!
    • Stop Spread Lies (22/01/2018, 10:12) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      He did not become no millionare under NDP nor does he nor DID he need NDP to become accomplished. The man was already accomplished. Just cause you didn't know it or know his business then, doesn't mean he accomplished wealth through NDP..ya'll need to stop spread propoganda on ppl.
  • Dragon (21/01/2018, 18:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another law that no one will obey and will mot be enforced.
  • Clueless (21/01/2018, 21:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So clueless
  • Eagle and Buffalo (21/01/2018, 22:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Consumer protection legislation is LONG overdue. Other than resistance from some businesses and lack of will on government part to bring it forward, it should not have taken this long. Consumer protection is not price control so we should not get our hopes up in that regards.

    The BVI practices capitalism so supply and demand set prices. Fair and open competition should control prices unless oligarchical behaviour exist. Consumers should boycott businesses that are price gouging, setting unreasonable prices, demonstrates poor point of sale and post sales practices……….etc and embrace and reward good business practices.

    Further, we should avoid nationalising businesses. Government has a poor track record of running anything. Invariably, what happens in nationalized businesses is that they are staffed by unqualified, inexperienced cronies that run them into the ground. Further, the BVI depends heavily on external investment and nationalizing businesses is a poison pill to external investment. Some of our regional sister countries have engaged in the practice with poor results and success.

    Finally, the Dr Hon Premier needs to move with alacrity in getting this piece of long over due legislation to the HOA. Dr. needs to jump on this legislation soonest. He must become more hands on; delegating is not working. And Trump style chaos is a non starter. Dr. needs to lead strong through strength from the front. Let’s get ah dun!

    Let’s lead like eagles, not careen off the cliff like buffaloes.
  • resident (22/01/2018, 00:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    casting blame, VIP never did it -- we the voters will take care of that end of things, come the next election.
  • Stella (22/01/2018, 00:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    voters - please do not cave on this. People have been saying for years that we the people don't have a backbone, We need this legislation and protection
  • mention this (22/01/2018, 06:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pussers selling a bottle of Niagara water for $3.00. Shame. A case is less than $5.00. Consume that.
  • trrefdrfds (22/01/2018, 09:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A recommendation via a report was already presented to the House of Assembly and it was tabled and never revisited, this is only an election gimmick, too much has happened and it is too little, too late, the people no longer have any confidence in none of you anymore, now you all going try and fool people, who done went thru so much and hurting while you all sit and watch. People are taking pay cuts to survive and cant feed them children, it was bad before, its worst now, your time is up, so get out. We put you in and we going take u out. Marlon watch out you think what Dancia get was bad, you going need EMT's on stand by.
  • trrefdrfds (22/01/2018, 10:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Smurf u ain’t no different to the rest of them, you told us that last year after Irma Bout the bill and when you go to the house the next time and you done been before the house numerous times, you got to go as well
  • wize up (22/01/2018, 11:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Young 16
  • Observer (23/01/2018, 07:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So this Consumer Protection Bill has been around for years and still can't make it to the House, why should we be satisfied with hearing it could still take another 11 months to get there... Hog wash...NDP seems to be supportive of the business man raping the people than protecting the people who obviously foolishly put them in the House. How about this gets to the house in the First Quarter of 2018.
  • james (24/01/2018, 15:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/pdfs/ukpga_20150015_en.pdf


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