The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Price Control Commission’s chairman yesterday said it was investigating reports of price gouging on New Providence and the Family Islands, having received several consumer complaint calls to-date

E J Bowe told Tribune Business yesterday: “I know that we had several calls, and the inspectors who are based in the Family Islands and New Providence are out responding to those complaints.

“We have had several calls about price gouging in New Providence and the Family Islands. The inspectors have responded. I was out on the holiday trying to respond to complaints we had received from consumers. I have to now check with the chief price inspectors and those to see what their findings are as well.”

His comments come after the Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader earlier this week urged the Government to enact anti-price gouging laws “with teeth” to protect Bahamian against unscrupulous merchants in Hurricane Matthew’s wake.

Branville McCartney told Tribune Business he had heard of some businesses charging “three times’” the normal price for essential supplies post-Matthew, although he did not name the companies or products involved.

Gowon Bowe, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chairman, indicated the private sector organisation had received no specific complaints about merchants exploiting post-Matthew demand and supply shortages to hike prices.

However, he urged all in the private sector to behave with “integrity and morality”, warning that any attempts at exploitation would cost businesses customers for life.

“The last thing we said is that businesses have to act with integrity,” Mr Bowe told Tribune Business of the Chamber’s position.