Promoting quality and standards
Editorial
IN A period when consumers are more and more being ripped off by unscrupulous dealers, an intensive public education programme on standards is essential. Many shoppers do not know their legal rights and while consumer groups, the standards bureau and the Trade, Tourism and Industry Ministry, among others, have been doing their bit to help them be more conscious about quality and standards, a comprehensive and wide-ranging programme is essential.
Slack monitoring standards can lead to more than personal discomfort and a feeling of loss when consumers find they are ripped off by items that do not work or are no good.
Shoddy safety checks can lead to disaster and, for example, many people feel much closer scrutiny is needed of vehicles and parts that are offered for sale here.
If citizens know their rights, what to look for and how to avoid being ripped off, they would be better protected.
But Guyanese cannot demand top quality imported goods when locals may be offering them poor quality stuff.
And it is in this regard that moves to get local government officials involved throughout the community assume importance.
Executives of the 10 administrative regions are to become more involved in consumer education with the aim of promoting quality and standards for Guyanese products and services.
The plan came up at a recent two-day seminar hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry on consumer affairs for regional executives at the Lake Mainstay Resort on the Essequibo Coast.
At the seminar too were officials of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Customs and Revenue Administration, the Food and Drugs Department (Ministry of Health) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Association.
Recommendations from the seminar will set in motion several measures that will officially endorse the development and imposition of mandatory standards, the Guyana Information Services reports in an item in today's issue.
A National Quality Movement Committee will be established to spearhead a national programme that will involve the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Manufacturers Association, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, consumer protection groups, the Trades Union Congress, the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry and the GNBS, according to the agency.
It adds that regional leaders have pledged support for the programme and will be the key players in pushing consumer education and awareness in areas of their jurisdiction.
Getting the message out to the key players and to buyers can lead to the required improvements and the more regional leaders are involved, the better are the chances of correcting the shortcomings.
It is good too that a quality awareness training programme targeting schools will also be instituted.
As Trade, Tourism and Industry Minister, Mr Geoff Da Silva said at the seminar, monitoring the quality of goods and services would help to improve the general standard of living.
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