Prime Minister Warns Against Price Gouging in the Aftermath of Hurricane Beryl

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is closely monitoring market activities to ensure unscrupulous individuals do not exploit the disaster and dislocation resulting from Hurricane Beryl’s passage on July 3 for financial gain.

Speaking during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 9), Mr. Holness warned against price gouging, due to the possible impact of the hurricane on goods and services.

“We issued an order under the Trade Act to prevent price gouging on essential goods. I ask the public to report any instance of price gouging, meaning an increase in price over and above what you were paying for the same product or service before,” he stated.

Prime Minister Holness maintained that citizens should have access to the necessary supplies at fair prices, while advising that reports of gouging can be made to the Consumer Affairs Commission or directly to the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.

On June 30, Beryl became the earliest category four cyclone on record generated during the Atlantic hurricane season.

It broke the record set by Hurricane Dennis, which became a category four storm on July 8, 2005.

On July 2, Beryl also broke the previous record for the earliest category five hurricane formed, by more than two weeks.

That record was set by Hurricane Emily on July 17, 2005, which culminated in one of the most catastrophic seasons experienced.