Jamaica’s PM warns against price gouging: Foreign minister thanks diaspora and international community for relief aid

By Caribbean News Global contributor

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Prime Minister, 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, reports Latonya Linton – meantime Jamaica thanks diaspora and international community for relief aid.

Speaking during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 9, 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.”

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, hurricane 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.

Meanwhile, the ministry of foreign affairs and foreign trade thanked the diaspora and international community for relief aid, and noted that Jamaica is fortunate to have enjoyed excellent partnerships with its bilateral partners, the diaspora and the international community, the evidence of which is now being seen with the generous offers of assistance as the island recovers from the impact of hurricane Beryl, says senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s foreign minister.

“The government and people of Jamaica are thankful for the solidarity expressed and the rapid response from our international partners. This support will be crucial to our efforts to restore normalcy and rebuild our communities that have been impacted by hurricane Beryl. The assistance will provide immediate relief as well as reinforcement for our longer-term resilience building”, minister Smith said while expressing gratitude to the global community for what she described as swift and generous relief aid being offered to Jamaica.

The foreign ministry is charged with the coordination of offers of international assistance within the government’s response mechanism and in that context, has undertaken outreaches to the diplomatic community, international organisations and the Jamaican diaspora to share information on the needs identified by the authorities and the avenues for directing assistance.

The ministry has also employed the services of its diplomatic and consular missions who are in active engagement with the diaspora communities overseas.

“I take this opportunity to also inform our Jamaican friends and family overseas who wish to contribute to the effort that the government has made it easier to donate to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management’s (ODPEM) account. A new, safe, and user-friendly website has been created at disasterfund.opm.gov.jm”, the minister said.

The country has been receiving offers ranging from the provision of disaster assessment teams, emergency personal kits, water purification, humanitarian food relief and emergency shelter.

Minister Smith acknowledged that hurricane Beryl has also impacted other countries in the region, including Barbados, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Cayman Islands, and extended Jamaica’s solidarity to their governments and people.

CARICOM heads of government have committed to support the affected countries, for which the ministry has expressed gratitude.

The government of Jamaica remains committed to working closely with international bodies and bilateral partners to ensure that recovery initiatives are implemented promptly and effectively.