ECD detects many violations in Brokopondo and Sipaliwini

The Economic Control Department (ECD) at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (HI) has come across many violations during last week’s inspections of stores located in the districts Brokopondo and Sipaliwini. The ECD inspectors reportedly found fireworks in 2 stores. In one of the stores about 40 boxes of fireworks were found. The Fire Department pointed out that the retailer did not have a proper storage facility and that he also did not comply with the safety regulations. There reportedly was not enough space between the storage facility and the place where goods were sold. The Fire Department is therefore urging retailers to deliver fireworks to the distributors. The ECD inspectors also came across goods that did not have a price tag and that were being sold at a very high price. Retailers had reportedly exceeded the 15% profit margin on infant formula. The ECD inspectors instructed those retailers to put a price tag on everything and to stick to the 15% profit margin on infant formula. The ECD inspectors also found cockroaches and rat poop on the shelves of a store located in Atjoni. They also found food products which had already passed the expiration date. Those goods were destroyed under the watchful eye of the ECD. The ECD also weighed prepackaged goods to check if they had the proper weight and checked the scales. The ECD also seized a few boxes of alcoholic drinks because the retailer had not paid alcohol taxes. Many stores also sold agrarian chemicals, construction material and equipment for gold miners even though they did not have a permit. The ECD seized this stuff and advised the retailers to apply for a permit. The inspections were carried out in association with the ministry’s regional office at Atjoni.