Five awarded for Championing Consumer cause

Georgetown: The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to mark World Consumer Rights Day, hosted a special ceremony at the International Conference Centre, where five persons were honoured for their sterling contributions over the years towards championing the cause of consumers in Guyana. The awardees were Mr. Patrick Dial, Retired Justice PremPersaud, Mr. Clifford Zammett, Ms. Marilyn Collins and Ms. Eslyn Herbert. Ms. Eileen Cox was also recognized in absentia for her more than four decades of work for the rights of consumers.

This award ceremony, which was organized by the Consumer Affairs Division of the Ministry, was one of the activities held this year as Guyana joined with the rest of the world to celebrate World Consumer Rights Day on March 15 under the theme “fix our phone rights”.

Minister Irfaan Ali, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce gave the feature address in which he urged consumers to demand their rights, and while they demand their rights he implored them not to ignore their responsibilities. Minister Ali also emphasized Government’s commitment towards supporting the manufacturing and services sectors so as to allow them to adequately and efficiently meet the needs of all consumers.

Ret. Justice Prem Persaud spoke on behalf of the awardees and he expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the event for recognizing the work that they had done for consumers in various capacities and disciplines over the years.

Since 1983, World Consumer Rights Day is commemorated on March 15 each year by Consumer International which is the world federation of consumer groups that serves as the only independent and authoritative global voice for consumers. Today there are many consumer organisations in Guyana which include the Consumer Affairs Division of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and the Public Utilities Commission, that have joined the fight for consumer rights.