Posted by Hallam Hope from the Barbados Consumer Watch under Submissions
Gaining access to basic consumer information seems to have more hurdles than one would expect. A few months ago I approached the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) and asked them for a copy of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the consultants assessing the Price Cap. I also asked for the dates for their work. I wasn’t asking for what they were paying the consultants from taxpayer revenue to tell us some things we could determine for ourselves.
I felt that as a taxpayer I was entitled to know what they were supposed to be doing so I could enhance any submission on the Price Cap, which affects the pockets of the most vulnerable in our society. It seemed quite reasonable. The response was that both items of information requested were “internal” and not available to the public.
Well, in August I inquired about the number of people who have been waiting for basic telephone service and the date of the last report. Surprise! This is also not public information. Well, what is surprising is that we live in a world where all administrations, including the new Government, talk about transparency and good governance. But without access to basic information consumers cannot advocate on matters that affect their interests.
So to deny consumers elementary information is tantamount to failing to perform a fundamental public responsibility, that of transparency in public office.
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