THE top three winners of the ‘Youth Consumer Essay Competition’, organised by the Consumer Affairs Division of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, were rewarded with their prizes yesterday. At the ceremony, in the Ministry, on South Road, Georgetown, Nadlee Ramnarine of Annandale Secondary was announced as the first place winner; Roseann Bisnauth of Queen’s College (QC) second and Gomattie Ramsamooj of Abram Zuil Secondary, third.
The contest was part of the Ministry’s programme to observe World Customer Rights Day and it was conducted in March and the winners each received a trophy and a voucher redeemable at Austin’s Book Store.
Bisnauth also won herself a trip for two to Baganara Resort, to be undertaken at her convenience, with a gift certificate usable there.
Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms. Muriel Tinnis said, every year on March 15, countries around the world and Consumer International join to celebrate the day.
“They pause to recognise all of the injustices that have been done to consumers, in terms of products and services,” she said.
Tinnis said it was a challenge to have all students, nationally, participate in this activity but the division was, nevertheless, successful at having it done.
“The decision to embark on this project was as a result of the need to raise the profile of consumer rights in the school system. Evident today is the fact that the division has succeeded,” she reported.
Tinnis also admitted that selecting the best of the essays was quite challenging, given the high standard of work produced by the students.
Those who marked the essays were Mr. Lloyd David from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and Mr. Gordon Spencer, Director of the Industrial Development Division.
Present at the function, too, were Ms. Deborah Mc Nichol, Principal Assistant Secretary (General) and Ms. Kushana Archer, Education Officer within the Consumer Affairs Division of the Ministry.