Recent trade licences may not be valid
As the debate over the relevance of the Trade Commission continues, Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn said trade licences that were approved or disapproved in recent months, may not be valid.
Penn said this is because Trade Minister Lorna Smith has been running the Trade Department without the Trade Commission, despite the fact that she appointed board members months ago.
Last week, Minister Smith defended her decision, saying the move would be costly and she is considering the best way to establish the entity that many believe will ease the high consumer prices in the community.
But Penn maintains that actions taken by the Department of Trade may be legally challenged as long as the Trade Commission isn’t brought into force.
He added that elected leaders may have to rectify those licenses through the House Of Assembly similar to what was done recently when the Commission of Inquiry found that a number of Residency and Belongership statuses were not granted according to the law and could be challenged by the affected persons.
“Similar to what we did with the belonger statuses that were approved and we had to go to the House to rectify those individuals, we might have to do the same thing for the trade licenses that were approved,” Penn explained on Tola Radio last Friday.
Smith attempts to suspend Trade Commission
Penn also revealed that since Minister Smith’s interview on Tola Radio last week, she has taken steps to suspend the Trade Commission and will be introducing legislation to do this when the House of Assembly meets on Tuesday October 31.
“After the interview with Minister Smith, the Order Paper was amended later in the afternoon and an act was added to suspend the Trade Commission. It will go through first, second and third reading without any consultation with the public. If nothing illegal was happening, why did the Minister – after talking to you (Tola Radio) – is now rushing to put this on the Order Paper for the House of Assembly? ” Penn stated.
Minister Smith has explained that her delay is because significant funds are needed to set up the Trade Commission and this would increase the $750,000 that is required annually to run the Trade Department.
But Penn continues to maintain that Smith doesn’t have the right to simply suspend statutory bodies at her discretion without going through the proper legal channels.
It is believed that the Trade Commission will help to bring reprieve to the high prices that residents are faced with in the BVI. However, some believe the Trade Commission will be another toothless entity like other public offices that were set up to defend the rights of the residents.
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The extra $750k for more bureaucrats is a waste. Save the money, change the law to get a system that will really work and move forward.
Right how?
Arrogance cannot solve our issues.
What about the millions spent on the Arbitration center that Lorna insisted we build?
Has to seen even one case yet?
Massive cost, no return, but she crying about monies for a committee that is legally needed?
Very scary joke….
All our problems after the COI is because of a weak Governor. Simple. This place needs to be hault and refresh. That’s why a Short Britain take over was necessary, now our leaders see The gov and Britain as weak, just Talk. Paper Tiger, why they continue doing what they want with no respect and disregards.
Incompetence
It is complete dreaming to believe that a committee can somehow affect prices. How would they do that?
Business needs less government interference , not more.
Successful economies like the USA don’t even have trade licenses which are primarily designed to keep competition away from the businesses of the ruling elite.
The US is also facing its fair share of cost of living struggles. It may be framed differently considering its size compared to us but the average American still struggles to make ends meet with the high cost of living.
Bvi government thinks it knows how to run your business. Make it successful and profitable, and you will be further taxed, provisioned, or legislated to death to the point your only option is to sell.
Remind us how that is good for business
Any thing from Smurf should be treated as big fat lies
You seem to have a stiffy for Smurf…. Smurf if you’re reading these comments don’t mind these jealous clowns up east who smile in your face and try to stab you in the back. Especially your so call family in parhamtown. Keep fighting for your district and country. The majority of East have your back as long as want to be there. Don’t mind these clowns!
Squeezing the agenda into the 2 days a month of HOA meetings leads to these types of legislative errors. Perhaps a few less trips to Guyana last summer and this legal problem would not have arose?
Does the Hon Member have any legal basis for that view, or is it just scare mongering.
What we need to bring down prices is competition – the current system protects the inefficient businesses that currently have trade licences. Let’s get some competition in, and then everybody will become more efficient and cheaper.
So turd world
Double check that the trade licenses and liquor licenses are giving to legal businesses. Ones that have legitimate leases or rental agreements on the properties they occupy. This should be the first thing checked before issuing a trade license. Licenses are approved for illegal business operations using aka business names. Take a look at those vendors in CGB taking over the whole beach. With no lease, no rental agreement, nor owner of the property they are set up on. How does that even happen? Double check! Seems as this important part of making a decision to give out licenses to have been ignored. Or can anyone just get a trade license regardless if they are legal? hmmmm
Insurance for property owners property have gone up
then house rent will go uo;
Food prices will go up
Minimum wages remains the sane
Lorna where is your priority
People are feeling the pain
You once knew how to live on hot dogs
Well we cannot even buy hot dogs now
Stop wanting to spite Marlon and work for the county. Do not use your personal vendetta and overturned the basic need for us as a people . Rise above personal vice -Put the law in place and do not try to invent a new wheel
Your family goods and medical supplies will still make a profit
We need to stop this madness
People are saying put laws in place to control prices. Becareful what you wish for! What would be next? A Law that tells businesses how many people they should hire? When businesses decide that they will do more with less staff I hope you guys will understand. It would help greatly if economics and finance were taught very early in our schools. Top many people are full of emotion and lack basic common sense.
Why do we need Trade Licenses? Do away with them and ensure everyone has company license etc.
It is so stupid and 3rd world being controlled by a Trade License.
I heard it and I was more than impress.I am not a fan but I like when Leaders working for the people especially the suffering people. He is not only increasing minimum wages he is increasing the tax exemption amt, he is increasing Nurses salary – Nice and easy”only in the BVI everything so difficult – all our Nurses get here are disrespect no appreciation – some already making plans to go back to Vincy.a lot resigning. Nurses is a demanding and scarce resource.
Again everything in the BVI seems so difficult. I know what it is. It’s politics. Waiting until a yr or 6 months before election to do the things we need now. ‘That’s when they think they smart and the people are fools.
Uncle Ralph is trying to turn St Vincent into a socialist dictatorship – no way I is going back.
how U sneak in that Jab on UNclE RaLpHie
Not a soul get them belongership taken from them yet.. lie