– will save Guyanese risk of losing millions

By Lisa Hamilton

THE Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), advocating for years for the Hire Purchase Bill to be redrafted and tabled in Parliament, is pleased with government’s commitment to doing so as “high priority” when it returns to the National Assembly.

Citizens of Guyana have long complained of losing millions after paying more than 50 per cent of the value of their items, which are oftentimes repossessed after just one missed payment under unavoidable circumstances.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, CCAC Director Dawn Holder-Cush said that the Commission has received the commitment of Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall in this regard.

He was made aware of the CCAC’s desire for the Bill to be dealt with urgently through Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond-Allicock.

“The current attorney-general is going to work on the Hire Purchase Bill. The new Minister, Minister Walrond, has spoken to the attorney-general about this matter, and he has indicated that he will have this Bill worked on, and we will try to have this Bill before Parliament either this year or early next year. It is a priority,” she said.

The Hire Purchase Bill will offer protection to buyers who use hire purchase agreements. Cush said that the biggest concern is the repossession of items by hire purchase businesses after a consumer would have paid even as much as 23 out of 24 installments, delaying only on one payment. Cush said many persons are still plagued “every day” by the challenge.

However, the Commission is advocating for a redrafting of the Bill, since a more contemporary and relevant law may be required. It would ensure that the repossession of items goes through the court, once the consumer has paid a certain percentage of the hire purchase amount.

She explained: “If you buy a fridge, and you have to make 24 installments and you make 23, with the hire purchase legislation, there’ll be a period of time after which Courts [business], or whoever, cannot come and seize the item. They have to sue you in court [legal] to get the money that is owed to them.”

The Bill has been lodged at the Office of the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney-General well before Cush became director, and before the former attorney-general was appointed to the post.

“What happens is there are so many ministries competing to have their legislation pushed through, in terms of things like Anti-Money Laundering and so on, they always get the priority,” the director had deduced in 2019.

The rights of consumers are detailed in the Consumer Affairs Act 2011, which outlines, in simple terms, the responsibilities of both the supplier and the purchaser of any goods or services.

According to the Act, if or whenever a consumer is dissatisfied with the performance or appearance of a purchase, be it food, electronics/appliances, furnishing, tools, construction materials, interior or exterior décor, clothing or any sundry item such as umbrellas, cookware or jewellery, he/she has the right to return it to the place of purchase and seek redress.