Price gouging will be further investigated
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

PRIME Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, has stated that reports that some stores are still raising their prices for key items needed in the fight against COVID-19 are being investigated.

“There’ve been allegations of price gouging and these are being investigated,” he said on Thursday, in a video conference with the media. While he noted that his preference has always been one of persuasion as opposed to stern action, he said that those participating in price gouging at such a time must desist.

“We are appealing to organisations that are involved in providing essential services that they do not take advantage of persons by upping the prices for some of these very, very essential materials,” Nagamootoo said. He said that the Food and Drugs Department and the Ministry of Public Health has been doing its best to ensure that the right standard and best quality of drugs make it to Guyana, and efforts have even been made to provide these at a reduced cost to local suppliers.

“We’ve been trying to work with the private sector, pharmaceutical and medical institutions to see that they’re given concessions to import these essential medical supplies that are related to the fight against COVID-19,” he said.

“For now, we would like to promote the best relationship with the private sector and medical institutions and import companies as well as to be able to work in partnership in making these essential goods, medicine and equipment available.” When COVID-19 first made its way to Guyana, there were many claims about price gouging, especially for cleaning agents known to kill 99.9 per cent of germs.

However, in a recent letter to the editor, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr. said: “I witnessed someone selling sanitisers on Facebook and even read in an article from the newspapers whereby it was highlighted that a particular business is selling a small bottle of sanitiser for GYD$1500 in Mahaica. Sanitisers, which are usually sold for GYD$100 are now being sold for four to five hundred dollars, suddenly.”

Questioned whether the government would involve itself in the procurement and distribution of these essential items to the public, the Prime Minster, Head of the National COVID-19 Taskforce (NCTF), said that such would first have to be discussed by the NCTF for arrival at a consensus. However, he said that when it comes to the medical supplies for medical providers, the government has procured its own stock of the same.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.