MINISTER POINTS TO EXPANDED ROLE FOR THE CAC

 At the 1st meeting of the Consumer Affairs Commission’s newly appointed Board, Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, Phillip Paulwell issued an expanded mandate to the Consumer Watchdog Agency.

The Minister made mention of Government’s shift in its pre-1990 focus from price control and exchange rate regulation to a free market system which “needs strong buyers and sellers in order to function effectively”. Expressing his regret at the failure of the non-Government sector to take up the charge of consumer lobbying, Paulwell noted that the Government through the Consumer Affairs Commission has had to take on this responsibility and act as referee, so as to protect the interests of both buyers and sellers. The Minister also expressed regret about the failure of Jamaicans to capitalise on the opportunities being presented by the full liberalization of the Telecommunications Industry, which takes effect March 1, less than two (2) weeks away.

Paulwell commended the CAC for its “ tradition of being open and receptive to the public…,” encouraged it to continue to be creative in the distribution of its messages and mandated it to expand its focus to include issues related to: Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Scientific Innovations, Agriculture, Waste Management and Conservation.

Board Members with the responsibility of leading this charge are:

 NAME                           TITLE

 Norris Crooks,       Businessman, Kiwanian
 Chairman

 Donovan Nelson,      Advisor to Minister of National Security;
 Vice Chairman        Communication Specialist

 Angella Manning      Executive Director - Consumer Affairs Commission

 Fay Sylvester, C.D.  Consultant/Advisor - Minister of Commerce,
                      Science &Technology

 Minna Wilmot, O.D.   Justice of the Peace, Cosmetologist,
                      Retired Public Servant

 Hugh Campbell        Businessman, Information Technology Specialist

 Angella Chaplain     Educator, High School Principal

 Suzann Dodd          Attorney-at-law

 Andrene Collings     Director of Commerce - Ministry of Commerce,
                      Science Technology

 Pearl Earle          Retired Public Servant

 Joy Webley           Public Servant, Health Specialist, Educator

 Andre Hylton         Businessman, 
                      President- Motor Repairers Association of Jamaica

 Andrea McKenzie      Urban Planner