The Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission (ICCC) has discovered from its national price inspection exercise that rice has been the main food item on the Commission’s watch list that has seen illegal price hikes imposed by a good number of shops in Port Moresby city. The ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Paulus Ain, says rice was the main product or food item that saw traders increasing their prices above the 10% limit without seeking prior approval from the ICCC, breaching Price Measure No. 4. “The ICCC acknowledged that prices are increasing due to increases at the supply end; however, it is advisable that traders must approach the ICCC to seek approval before increasing the prices of listed goods,” said the Commissioner. The listed goods are the ICCC declared goods (which includes rice) listed in Schedule 1 of the Price Measure No. 4 that should not be increased beyond the 10% limit. Nevertheless, while some shops have increased the prices of goods sold, the ICCC noted that a few shops have maintained their prices at reasonable levels, not above the 10% limited, and ICC commends those shops for complying. Meanwhile, the ICCC team continues its price inspections and this week over 50 Infringement Notices were issued to shops in Port Moresby and also parts of Central province for breaching Price Measure No. 4. Mr. Ain warned those shops that have been issued with infringement notices to settle their fines of K10, 000 within 14 days. If they fail to settle this fine, the ICCC will take them to court for breaching Measure No. 4.