Merchants ignore minister’s price controls

There is a saying usually attributed to U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt which says something to the effect of “speak softly, but carry a big stick.” We are dismayed to report tonight that government, when it comes to consumer protection, behaves just the opposite: it talks tough but doesn’t deliver. Case in point is yesterday’s announcement by Minister of Economic Development Erwin Contreras that while higher prices had been authorized for rice, those new prices would be vigorously enforced. Here, once again, is what he told the public.

Erwin Contreras, Minister of Economic Development
“The whole sale price for rice is gonna be one dollar and fifteen cents in Belize City. Including handling and distribution, the retail price in Belize should be one dollar and thirty-one cents per pound, in San Pedro, one dollar and thirty-three cents per pound, Dangriga one dollar and thirty-two cents per pound and Punta Gorda one dollar and thirty-three cents per pound. San Ignacio is gonna be the Belize City price as well as in Orange Walk and Corozal. That is temporary. We have asked the Minister of Police along with the Minister of Agriculture to assist us, the consumer protection agency, to monitor the situation and we will be enforcing the law regarding the control price. We know that a lot of unscrupulous business people have been taking advantage of the situation and we’ll definitely be handling this matter seriously.”

The reality, however is that many grocers, at shops large and small, are selling rice at a dollar sixty-five and higher. When we called the ministry’s toll free consumer protection hotline we were told that the only person who could deal with our complaint was in a meeting. We’ll try again tomorrow.