Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition Honourable Marlon Penn is calling the government’s latest initiative to prevent price gouging, a smoke screen and “simply just hot air”.
Penn’s comments came in a statement issued on Tuesday March 15, just under 48hrs following the premier’s announcement of a special task force to tackle price gouging.
He described the initiative by the government as fundamentally flawed, without the necessary legal and enforcement capacity in place.
“The government has announced an attempt to take action to mitigate unjustified price increases. However, without sound knowledge, proper structures, processes, and methodologies, and without enforcement capacity and legal authority; the attempt is a smoke screen, simply just hot air!”
“The government’s focus should, yes, be on consumer protection; but its efforts are better placed on engaging levers which it controls and can immediately implement to better the lives of Virgin Islanders and offset the very real impacts of current events,” Penn added.
The Opposition leader questioned why the government simply did not take the route of establishing a temporary reduction of import taxes on specific goods, including gas and oil.
“An effective mechanism such as this could be quickly implemented to ensure that savings are being passed on to consumers. Equally as important, Public Officers and other technical advisers must be fully utilised to ensure policy makers are properly advised and programmes effectively designed and implemented to deliver their intended outcomes – unlike the failed stimulus programme,” Penn expressed.
10-prong solution
The Eight District Representative therefore recommended a 10 prong solution which included: advancing food sustainability and larger scale domestic food production; prioritising spending on transportation infrastructure development; empowering, facilitating and incentivising the private sector to play a greater role in the development and diversification of our economy; implementing sustainable energy plans; and not missing opportunities to borrow at reduced costs.
Penn said only broader policy responses will sustain the BVI in the long term, however he said it will require “careful planning, practical and innovative ideas, clear, decisive and timely actions, strong, caring and very competent leadership.”