Public, private sector agencies partner to foster buyers’ rights

Public and private institutions have committed to work together to protect the rights of consumers. The move seeks to help find a lasting remedy for the various consumer abuses encountered by local buyers of goods and services. Damien Ndizeye, the president of Rwanda Consumer Rights Protection Organisation (ADECOR) said more consumer associations should be created at the district level to help improve the protection of consumer rights across the country. Ndizeye was speaking at a workshop on consumer protection organised by the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) to discuss challenges faced by consumers and how they can be addressed. The workshop attracted officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and EAC Affairs, Ministry of Health, Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority, Private Sector Federation, Insurance companies and associations, Rwanda Law Reform Commission, Rwanda Standards Board, Rwanda Bar Association, as well as the Institute of Legal Practice and Development, the Rwanda Media Council, and Consumers associations. Ndizeye said collaboration among stakeholders is essential to protect rights of every consumer, especially from harmful products. He added that it is fundamental for every Rwanda to get “good services and be served well anywhere”. “That’s why it is important for companies, like telecoms, to contribute funds to support clients and create consumer protection associations,” he said. Veneranda Mukamurera, the director consumer affairs at the Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority, said the watchdog has set regulations to ensure that transport, telecom and all firms under its supervision, promote and respect rights of clients, adding that RURA conducts regular inspection to guarantee consumer safety and observance of their rights. She added that RURA works with the Rwanda Standards Board to make sure that products imported into the country meet quality, a move that is in line with consumer protection. Speaking at the workshop earlier, Francois Kanimba, the Minister for Trade and Industry and East Africa Affairs, observed that consumers still needed protection, calling on all stakeholder to be the vanguard of consumer rights.

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Public, private sector agencies partner to foster buyers’ rights