When a series of ‘ad’s starting appearing in the Nation and on CBC television in late September including a half page ‘ad’ under the name of Barbados Lucky Numbers on 28^th September 2007, I wrote to the Fair Trading Commission, Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Business Development and copied it personally to the Minister responsible at her personal email address.

My letter was dated 29^th September 2007.

Today, (13th December 2007), I received a letter from the Ministry dated 29^th November and mailed on the 10^th December 2007.

It stated

Dear Sir,

Concerns regarding Operations of Opera Telecom

I refer to your correspondence dated 29^th September and 2^nd October 2007 respectively, expressing concerns about a series of television advertisements which invited persons to participate in a competition by telephoning or texting responses to various questions.

Pursuant to a request by this Ministry, The Fair Trading Commission undertook an investigation into the operation of Opera Interactive (Barbados) Limited. The company was requested to carryout a number of actions, including the modification of the terms and conditions of its Caribbean Phone Idol Competition, in order to achieve compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, CAP. 326D.

In view of the direct response given to yourself by the Fair Trading Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Business Development considers this matter to be closed at this stage. The Ministry thanks you for having brought this matter to our attention.

Yours faithfully

Anthony Nicholls

Permanent Secretary

Comments:

How possibly can this matter be ‘closed at this stage’?

Despite an assurance given by the FTC nearly a month ago, and a page three printed assurance given by the Sunday Sun nearly a week ago, the names of the ‘winners’ still have NOT been published. I am afraid I do not consider this matter closed at all.And I have still to receive ANY response from the Minister responsible for Consumer Affairs.

Adrian Loveridge

13 December 2007

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