Philipsburg:--- Members of Parliament posed several questions to the Minister of Economic Affairs Franklin Meyers on Monday regarding Price Controls and Consumer Protection. Member of Parliament George Pantophlet also submitted a list of questions to Parliament some weeks ago requesting information on the same topic, those answers were provided to him on Monday. Pantophlet said he wanted to know who is controlling the content of each propane gas tank. Pantophlet also wanted to know who is controlling the weight of the empty propane tank and if all empty cylinders carry the same weight. He further asked how many persons are currently controlling gas stations and if the persons conducting such jobs are qualified to perform the required task.Member of Parliament Louie Laveist raised concerns about the exchange rate from dollars to guilders at the gas stations. Laveist said the rates vary depending on the gas station and he wants to know if government has established a fix rate for the USD to guilders.
While Independent Member of Parliament Frans Richardson posed questions about the agreement signed between the former executive council and USONA regarding price controlling. Richardson said at the time some NAf. 50,000.00 was made available for a study to be conducted and for a policy on consumer protection to be written. Richardson asked the Minister for a follow up on that agreement. He also wants to know if the Minister created his own policy on price control and consumer protection. He said if such policies exist then copies of it must be provided to parliament. Richardson said that St. Maarten is a duty free destination and overcharging consumers sends a bad message. Richardson also asked the Minister to provide an overview of how many businesses on St. Maarten requested a business license and how many of them submitted a request to close down their operations. He also suggested that St. Maarten establish a bureau where consumers can file complaints when they purchase goods that are not good.
Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin raised concerns on the rise in cost of living and the fact there are supermarkets that are over pricing their items. Besides the over pricing, Marlin said there are supermarkets that sell spoiled items such as vegetables. "Supermarkets that have items such as tomatoes, sweet peppers, onions and other perishables pre-packed are in the habit of selling spoiled vegetables and I need to know if there are regular controls at the supermarkets to eliminate this habit." Marlin also raised concerns on the expired goods that are on the supermarket shelves.
Marlin also asked about the controllers that monitor weights and scales. The National Alliance Leader also touched on the shops that are selling refurbished electronic items. He said government should have a policy in place that would force businesses to declare beforehand if the products they are selling are refurbished. He asked the Minister to give his view on such legislation. Marlin also requested information on the control of water since there is a water ordinance in place. He said that plastic can be dangerous and in many instances water is imported in plastic bottles and these bottles are left for long periods in heat and this can be extremely hazardous, therefore he wants to know if government is taking the necessary measures to control imported water. Marlin also posed questions on the controls of gasoline stations (pump settings).
While Member of Parliament Silvia Meyers raised concerns on the fuel clause that GEBE charges for electricity. Meyers said while the topic discussed on Monday has nothing to do with GEBE she feels that it falls under consumer protection. The UP Member of Parliament said that even though Parliament was given several explanations she still does not understand how the fuel clause is calculated. Meyers said she is of the opinion that government should put a policy in place which would regulate the fuel clause. Meyers also asked for more information on price controls since she was a victim in one supermarket that over charged her for baby milk even though the item is a price controlled item. St. Maarten she said has 102 supermarkets which to her is a lot but government she said must do something to make sure there is adequate control at each supermarket on the island.
The Minister of Economic Affairs will provide the answers to the questions posed to him on Thursday when the meeting reconvenes.
