PHILIPSBURG--Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) Inspectorate head Lucien Wilson recently presented TEATT Minister Stuart Johnson with a copy of the Hurricane Items Maximum Price List 2018 booklet.
The booklet contains a list of hurricane season-related items the prices of which are regulated by a ministerial regulation titled “Ministerial Regulation on Price Determination related to a state of emergency 2018” that came into force effect on August 22.
Booklets containing a list of the regulated items and the maximum prices at which they may be sold by retailers will be printed and distributed to the public to assist the public when making purchases.
The objective of the ministerial regulation is to prevent price-gouging of movable goods (water, groceries, batteries, construction materials, etc.) that are needed during a state of emergency; for example, a hurricane.
This regulation is in force until November 30. Penalties for wilful violations of the regulation may include criminal prosecution and a fine of up to NAf. 10,000.
The TEATT Inspectorate already publicised in September that all hardware stores, supermarkets and suppliers of construction material had been informed of the existence of this regulation and their obligation to comply with the established maximum prices once a state of emergency has been declared.
