With all that’s been going on, Friday’s story on the final report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on its relief work here in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma should not go unnoticed. Its conclusion that skyrocketing prices of construction work and particularly building materials had hampered its assistance to repair damaged homes is not only regrettable, but also remarkable.
After all, government had taken control measures to prevent price-gouging within two weeks of the island’s worst known natural disaster, following indications of such. Maximum prices were set for in any case hurricane-related items, which include wood used on many roofs.
A year later, in September 2018, it was announced that the Ministerial Regulation on price determination in a state of emergency had become effective as of August 22 through November 30. However, while there is a fine of up to 10,000 Netherlands Antilles guilders for non-compliance, the decree only goes into force when there is an actual storm threat and/or impact.
Moreover, a booklet listing the maximum prices under those circumstances wasn’t published and distributed to wholesalers, retailers as well as members of the public until mid-October, just two weeks before the end of the annual Atlantic hurricane season.
Because construction materials are not in the so-called basket of basic goods placed under permanent government price control for social reasons, competition is supposed to keep down their cost. That’s the way it usually works with societies characterised by free trade, but – especially in a relatively small market – establishing an independent authority to help ensure fair business practices for St. Maarten would appear to be no unnecessary luxury.
