TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC  — Premier of the British Virgin Islands Dr Natalio Wheatley has warned supermarkets and importers across the territory that government concessions introduced to ease rising living costs must benefit consumers and not be absorbed through excessive markups.

Speaking on the government’s Virgin Islands Voice programme, Wheatley said the administration introduced a series of relief measures after global fuel prices increased amid tensions involving the United States, Iran, Israel and Hezbollah.

“It was important that we take mitigating measures to ensure that the most vulnerable among us, especially, are protected,” the Premier said.