PUC opens office at Port Mourant

The Public Utilities Commis-sion (PUC) yesterday officially opened its new office at Port Mourant, Berbice with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds urging consumers to be more responsible in paying their utility bills, as this will help create a competitive environment.

According to a GINA press release, the new Region Six office will help the PUC fulfil its mandate of reaching out to consumers all across Guyana. Region Six residents will now have “better access to the commission, to represent their legal and fundamental rights to have efficient and quality services being offered by utilities’ providers, namely telecommunications, electricity and water”, GINA said.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds cuts the ribbon to officially commission the Public Utilities Commission office at Port Mourant, Berbice, while PUC Chairman Prem Persaud and others look on (GINA photo)

Declaring the facility open, the Prime Minister lauded the commission for a job well done, in representing the rights of Guyanese consumers. “This facility is another example of our work to further integrate all the services in our country so that all consumers can have access to quality and efficient services, whether it is telecommunication and energy services,” the release quoted the PM as saying.

According to GINA, he said the services being offered in the utilities’ sector have been improving over the years as the work of the commission intensified across the country and there has been a concomitant demand from consumers for a greater level of service. He also used the opportunity to welcome the idea of the commission expanding its services to other parts of the country, including in Essequibo.

PUC Chairman Prem Persaud said the commission’s mandate of reaching consumers had seen a countrywide campaign, making the public more aware of their rights and responsibilities, according to GINA. He also elaborated on various activities of the PUC to protect and safeguard the right of consumers, which includes setting of utility rates for companies. “As a result of  the works of commission a lot of persons are now able to afford services being offered, including land telephones and cellular services… In 2011 land consumers spoke for 1,199,587,633 minutes all because the rates are now affordable,” Persaud was quoted as saying.
The PUC is a constituted body which was formed in 1999 after the passing of the PUC Act, GINA said.

The functions of the commission are regulatory, investigatory, and enforcement among others as conferred on it by the Act. The commission also has the power to initiate and conduct investigations into the operations and standards of service of any public utilities under its purview, GINA said.