KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness is advising Jamaicans to report any incidence of price gouging in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl which wreaked havoc across several parishes when it moved just past the country’s south coast on July 3.

“We (the Government) are closely monitoring market activities to ensure that unscrupulous individuals do not exploit this disaster for financial gain. Our citizens should have access to the necessary supplies at fair prices,” said Holness during a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

“I ask the public to report any instance of price gouging, meaning an increase in price over and above what you were paying for the same product or service before the hurricane,” he added.

The prime minister said individuals can report to the Consumer Affairs Commission or directly to the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.

He noted that the administration “took into consideration the prevention of price gouging. We issued an order (before the arrival of the hurricane) under the Trade Act to prevent price gouging on essential goods”.