‘A lot of people suffering’ over rising prices in VI - Hon Smith - calls on legislators to ensure Gov't relief efforts make it to consumers

DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI– Deputy Speaker and At-Large Representative in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) has called on his fellow legislators to keep an eye on rising prices in the VI.

During the Continuation of the Sixth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on August 9, 2022, during the debate on a 5% reduction on customs duties, Hon Smith said VI legislators must ensure savings are passed on to legislators.

“Prices are really ridiculous, you cannot go in the supermarket and buy anything for $100 anymore, with $100 you coming out with one bag, so we have to make sure that this happens because a lot of people really suffering over this,” Hon Smith said.

“Unless we put measures in place to keep an eye on what’s going on, it will happen again… We have to make sure that when we get this break, we also give a break to customers,” he added.