NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition leader Michael Pintard has slammed Prime Minister Philip Davis for what he has described as his failure to demonstrate leadership by failing to consult with the Retail Grocers Association and The Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association on proposed changes to the Price Control list.
Pintard made it clear that the official opposition believes “every effort should be made to mitigate the harsh effects of inflation but in a manner that does not harm another industry.”
Bahamas Retail Grocers Association president Philip Beneby has warned that the government’s decision to add 38 extra food items to the price control regime would “cut deep” into the profit margins of local retailers, adding that some may not last the six month trial period of the regime’s expansion.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has indicated that there will be no penalty or enforcement for businesses as they adjust to the addition of some 38 items to price control regulations. Prime Minister Davis is set to meet with retail grocers this week over the move, with the regulations having come into effect over the weekend.
“The Prime Minister’s arrogance has once again put a valuable sector at risk. It could only be described as pure arrogance to make such a critical decision without consulting the very sectors that will be most impacted. We wholeheartedly agree with President Philip Beneby,” said Pintard.
“The Prime Minister’s arrogance has endangered the livelihood of retail Grocers by giving them an unrealistic timeframe to meet the proposed changes, a factor that the Prime Minister could have easily avoided by consulting.
The Prime Minister’s arrogance also “blindsided” the President of the Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association Shantia McBride on the markup affecting Pharmacists. The Association was not consulted and does not support the proposed changes,” Pintard added.
The Free National Movement Leader stated that this is a continuation of the Davis administration’s “ad-hoc” way of governance, and demanded that the government provide the data that led them to adopt this strategy.
Accusing the Davis Administration of being stubborn, Pintard again suggested the government remove VAT from existing breadbasket items as well as the items subject to new price controls.
“The Davis Administration refuses to revisit this decision simply because it was the FNM who first suggested it. Why should retail store owners and pharmacists suffer and risk layoffs and closure while the Government continues to collect VAT on these items?” Pintard asked.
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