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