Internet services providers, Unique
Solutions and Netpage will be fined for “failing to show up” at an October 1,
2011 Consumer Forum in the Gambian capital, Banjul, according to the organiser,
the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).
The conspicuous absence of the two
institutions means consumers could not address their concerns regarding the
services they provide in
open and frank terms, leaving PURA without an option but to bring charges
against them.
However, PURA fall short of telling the
4th Consumer Parliament how much it will charge them, however, an
official claim they will consult amongst themselves and come up with whatever
charges applicable.
Mandated
by an Act of Parliament (the PURA Act 2001) to regulate public services in
communications, electricity, water and sewage, and Internet Service Providers
(ISP), its Director General, Abdoulie Jobe said “PURA
is facilitating this opportunity for dialogue, exploration, and clarification,
bringing to the attention of concerned parties, any issues that consumers may
have about the services or the providers.”
“Consumer parliament is
an awareness and interactive programme during which consumers of
communications, electricity, water and sewage services meet face-to-face with
the operators and are given the opportunity to express their views and
complaints to them. It is one of the regulatory tools or interventions PURA
uses as part of the provision of a holistic complaint resolution mechanism in
fulfillment of our mandate under the PURA Act 2001,” Mr Jobe said.
Besides taking the consumer parliament
to various regions of the country, PURA adopted a national variation of the
consumer parliament dubbed “National Bantaba” intended specifically for the
rural communities across the country.
PURA has devoted a significant amount of
time and resources in developing its capacity and ensuring that the
fundamentals are in place for an effective regulatory institution since 2004.
However, its officials said they are conscious of the fact that regulatory
practice requires tact and patience with all the many challenges it presents.
And Mr Jobe admitted that have made
tough but equitable decisions in recent times that are not always acceptable by
those regulated but necessary to ensure a level playing field (providing
quality and affordability).
Respect
for consumer-stance
Following the defiance of public outcry for the National
Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) not to increase its charges for electricity
during a February 12, 2011 public hearing, consumers have raised doubts as to
how much their stance can be respected.
They even question how much power PURA has to ensure that
service providers do not go against the wishes of their consumers provided that
they decided to go against proposals by service providers to increase charges
on their services.
When Gambians and non-Gambians yell publicly that NAWEC
should not increase its electricity tariff, citing soaring prices for basic
food items and low income, it took the Company less than four months to
increase its charges even before announcing it.
NAWEC’s arguments was based on the huge financial losses the
company has incurred due to long standing-exorbitant-debts, mainly dominated by
government institutions, leaving the company in a state of financially in
jeopardy.
- Author: Modou S. Joof for The Voice Newspaper
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