Soundbites without strategy! Penn bangs Premier on rising prices

Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has condemned the apparent short-term approach by the government to introduce a task force aimed at addressing price gouging in the territory.

Penn said he wants to hear a long-term strategy from Premier Andrew Fahie which takes into consideration the effects of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The Premier spoke recently about implementing a task force to address issues in relation to rising prices at the pump locally, but he also warned that the task force will be working to address price gouging at establishments as well.

But Penn, while speaking on his party’s NDP radio show last evening, said there were already tools at the government’s disposal to address the issues and cited adjustments to a tariff on fuel as one of these.

He also mentioned a 100 per cent increase on wharfage which was recently imposed at the ports and said this drives up the cost of living for consumers and pushes inflation through the roof.

According to Penn, people are even afraid to open their electricity bills because they are uncertain about how rising fuel costs will affect them personally.