Dr Nanda Kishore Gopaul yesterday took the Oath of Office as Chair of the Public Utilities Commis-sion (PUC) while Justice Beasraj Singh Roy, was sworn in as Chair of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal.
Meanwhile, Hydar Ally and Abiola Wong-Inniss were sworn in as members of the tribunal at the Office of the President.
Speaking at the event, President Ali acknowledged the need for the Government to improve efforts to inform citizens about their rights and ensure they can access benefits from protective commissions. These appointments are effective as of August 5, 2025. Addition-ally, he emphasized the importance of upholding effective regulations to safeguard consumers’ rights.
The Public Service Appellate Tribunal is designed to give an aggrieved public servant an opportunity to have his or her grievances heard before a panel outside of the court.
The Public Utilities Commission, established under Chapter 25:01 of the Constitution, is responsible for regulatory, investigatory, and enforcement functions aimed at protecting consumers.
President Ali emphasized the crucial role of the PUC in fostering business growth and investment, noting that better utilities enable companies to operate more smoothly, which directly enhances the stability of the business environment. He also highlighted the gap between those who have access to PUC services and those who do not.
