ICCC routine checks underway in AROB
Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) is currently in AROB conducting checks on prices of certain basic goods under price control.
Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) is currently in AROB conducting checks on prices of certain basic goods under price control.
This exercise follows the orders of Measure number 11 released by the Office of the Pandemic Controller in which prices of certain basic goods under price control should not be increased more than 10% of its original price.
Investigation Officer of ICCC Chris Gabesua explained that the order simply means that businesses wanting to increase prices of certain goods under price control should not increase their prices by more than 10%.
The exercise is currently been carried out across PNG and Bougainville in two phases – first phase was conducted last month in which the ICCC team supported by the ABG Department of Commerce collected price data of certain basic goods from 14 shops in Buka, explaining to business owners why the prices were being collected.
The second phase is to recheck if the business houses have complied according to measure #11, and failure in compliance would result in a penalty of charge of K10, 000.00.
“We have returned to check prices to see if businesses have complied and those that have not are given time to explain their reasons for increasing their prices, however, failing to do so may result in them being penalized,” Mr. Gabesua explained.
“We have completed 6 shops yesterday and the remaining 8 should be completed before we leave by the weekend,”
He further called on the business houses to work with the government on the ground especially the ABG Department of Commerce to discuss issues on prices of goods and services as it was a major concern of the government.
These basic goods include rice, flour, sugar, soap and tissues amongst others and the general public as consumers are also asked to speak to the Business Development Officers (BDOs) at the Commerce Department who act as the ICCC agents should they have any issues with prices of goods and services in Bougainville.
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