Over ten business houses in the New Ireland province are now in the glaring eyes of the country’s consumer watchdog for price gouging. That watchdog, the Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission (ICCC), issued a statement on this matter just recently stating that it will prosecute eleven (11) shops in the province for increasing their prices above 10 percent (10%) without prior approval from ICCC. During ICCC’s nationwide price measure exercise carried out in the province recently, it was recorded that 11 shops in Kavieng and Namatanai districts were found to have increased prices of certain goods listed in schedule 1 of the Price Measure No. 4 without seeking prior approval from the ICCC. Out of 32 shops inspected by the ICCC, 11 shops were issued with an Infringement Notice (IN) for failing to comply with the Price Control No. 4. Of this total, 8 shops were in Kavieng, 1 in Lakurumau (Poliamba) and 2 in Namatanai. These shops have been given 14- days if they choose to appeal the IN that was issued by the ICCC. In the appeal, these shops are to justify their reasons for increasing the prices of the certain goods sold or pay a K10, 000 fine for non- compliance. Failing this, they will be taken to court by the ICCC. ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Paulus Ain who was on ground, noted the retail prices for flour, cooking oil, laundry soap and sugar remained steady when the base price was collected last year during Phase 1. However, the prices for rice have been increasing gradually and it is a concern. Mr. Ain is warning shop owners who pretend to comply with the Price Order during the price inspection exercise that this is an ongoing exercise and if they are caught, they will be penalised. “Let this be a warning to all top shop owners that ICCC will not hesitate to penalise any shop that increases its prices of certain goods per Schedule 1 without applying to the ICCC prior to increasing the prices,” Mr. Ain warned. Meantime, the Commissioner also applauded the other shop owners for being compliant and keeping their prices at a reasonable level despite the current inflationary pressure experienced in the country.