Dear Editor,
Mr. Sahadeo Bates wrote a letter entitled `Whither the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission’ in the March 18 edition of Stabroek News. The writer is incognizant on almost all points of arguments that were made. These inaccuracies must be addressed.
Firstly, we pride ourselves on the fact that complainants can interact with us in the comfort of their own homes. As such, we keep our communications platforms updated. Interested parties can reach us via WhatsApp, Emails, our website, Facebook, the telephone, and of course, in person at our offices at the Sophia Exhibition Site. The organization’s website is indeed up and functioning. At the same time, we do have occasional maintenance work to keep the website updated, to ensure the quality of information that is being disseminated is current as a majority of our work products can be found there. These range from advocacy materials to the submission of complaints, hence it is imperative that the site is functional.
Secondly, I am unsure where the author would have digested that we only investigated 160 complaints. The number for 2022 was nearly three times that amount, demonstrating the Commission’s continuous effort to ensure businesses comply with the Consumer Affairs Act. The investigative arms of the Commission investigated over 400 complaints, resulting in a monetary benefit of over 100 million Guyana dollars returned to complainants.
The third point of inaccuracy was that the agency only focuses on a particular sector. This, again, is entirely untrue. Our campaign materials are informed by the trends we see occurring. We previously saw complaints in the housing, automobile, and consumer electronics sectors. When a trend emerges, we address the issues upstream at the source. If there is a focus in any area, it is due to a persisting issue we are currently engaging.
Concluding, it would be more than prudent for anyone interested in learning about their rights and how our sister agencies enforce them to check the resources on our site at www.ccac.gov.gy or social media profiles. I suggest that readers research topics of interest that are self-beneficial such as consumer protection matters. The Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission has made significant contributions in the last two years, including inspections, investigations, certifications and resolutions. Under this dispensation, we have moved from less than 100 inspections annually to more than 1,000, returned over 100 million dollars each year into the hands of the people, launched a homebuilders road map to assist those building their first homes, resolved over 400 cases annually, initiated the certification of business etc. The list goes on.
Regards,
Anil Sukhdeo
Director (a.g)
Competition and Consumer Affairs
Commission
