Prashad announces consumer protection legislation coming soon
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad has indicated that, presently, there is no established body to regulate the fare structure for public transportation. He made the disclosure during a media briefing, at his South Road, Georgetown Ministry, last week, where he sought to address concerns over the recent strike action by some mini-bus operators, who were demanding increases from commuters, on the basis of escalating fuel prices.
“Right now, it is moral suasion, basically, so we spoke with some of the mini- bus associations and set up a structure but there is nothing in writing although there is this fare structure by the bus owners themselves,” Prashad explained.
He said travellers will, undoubtedly, be affected by any increase in the normal charges.
In this regard, Prashad said, in an effort to protect the rights of consumers, the Consumer Affairs Bill will be introduced in Parliament within a few weeks.
As to the implications of the legislation, he said:“This sets out the rights of consumers, their duties and functions and, if you breach any of the regulations, there are penalties…fines.”
In his presentation for the 2011 Budget debate in the National Assembly,  Prashad had announced that the Bill, which was being drafted and was in its final stage of review and vetting, would be presented to the House this year.
He explained that such promulgation will assist in promoting and protecting consumer interests in relation to the supply of goods and services and help prevent businesses from engaging in fraud or specific unfair practices.
In addition, it would also serve as a form of government regulation, which aims to protect consumers and enable them to make better choices in the market place and to ensure fair trade and free flow of truthful information to the public.
Prashad also pointed out that, despite there being no formal regulatolry body, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has, in the past, sought to equip consumers with the information necessary to make wise choices as well as to inform them of their rights and responsibilities.
To do this, effectively, the Ministry used several strategies to ensure that information was disseminated throughout the country, including weekly live informative radio and television programmes, daily consumer tips in the local newspapers, distribution of flyers, brochures, booklets and school talks, he said. 
Prashad said:“To keep consumers informed on all issues, the Ministry cannot work in isolation and, to this end, we have collaborated with several other organisations that have the responsibility of giving support to consumer advocates.”
Some of the collaborating organisations are the Guyana Consumers’ Association, Consumer Movement of Guyana, Consumer Advisory Bureau, Analyst Department Food and Drugs Department, Public Utilities Commission and Guyana National Bureau of Standards.