CCAC awards businesses which excel in consumer rights

Businesses which have proven that they have consumers’ rights at heart on the provision of products and services were on Friday evening awarded by the Guyana Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC). The CCAC held its Inaugural Suppliers Compliance Awards Ceremony and Gala at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

Delivering remarks at the event, Director (Ag) of the CCAC, Mr. Anil Sukhdeo noted that the objective of the awards is to encourage compliance among suppliers to be the best and improve consumer services.

“WE want to reward excellence…and we want to recognize and signal to consumers that the businesses here tonight are the best of the best of the best when it comes to the law. You can go to these persons, you can go to these enterprises and when you shop, you can be sure to be treated in the manner which you should be treated,” he told those gathered at the event.

The CCAC which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, is responsible for assisting with consumer disputes while educating citizens about consumer rights and responsibilities.

Director of Business who represented the Minister, Mr. John Edghill in his remarks pointed out that there must be change in the retail and wholesale sector to build a consumer experience that is second to none. “We’re not happy with the state of affairs so that means that we must see a change,” he said.

The agency presented a special award to Consumer rights advocate, Mr. Patrick Prabhudial for consistently promoting and seeking to protect consumer rights.

In accepting his award, he called on businesses to pay more attention to competition as Guyana is undergoing a new development brought on by the oil and gas industry. “Competition does not only mean people competing with each other, there are all other meanings to it,” he said. The award was presented by the former CCAC Chairman, Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo.

Telco Solutions was awarded the Most Compliant business in the electronics sector, while Caribbean Motor Spares was awarded for being the Most Compliant business in the Agro industry. Silvies Industrial Supplies was awarded under the ‘other industries’ category.

Meanwhile, the Best consumer Experience Award went to John Lewis Styles and the Best Warranty Policy Award was given to Massy Distribution Guyana Inc. – Agricultural Machinery and Spare Parts.

These businesses were required to submit the relevant documents to the CCAC prior to the judging process and were evaluated against set criteria to ensure they are in compliant with the laws of Guyana.