KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has pledged to investigate allegations of price gouging in western Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness made the announcement during a session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The hurricane, which struck on October 28, caused significant damage in southwestern parishes, leading to reports of inflated prices for essential goods and services, including food, gasoline, building materials, and transportation fares. Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western, Ian Hayles, highlighted the severity of the issue, noting that prices in his constituency had doubled. He urged the government to take immediate action to protect citizens from exploitation. In response, Holness acknowledged the gravity of the situation and revealed that he had already instructed the Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill, to launch an investigation. The Prime Minister emphasized that while existing price control measures are limited to specific items such as food and essentials, the government is committed to enforcing regulations to ensure fairness during the recovery period. ‘In times of disaster, everyone is expected to act responsibly to support national recovery,’ Holness stated.