Utility regulator OfReg has appointed seven members of the public to the Cayman Islands first Consumer Council.
The new council’s purpose is to represent consumers and protect their rights by identifying and advising the regulator on issues affecting them across the utilities sector.
The council’s role includes gathering statistics and providing reports and proposals to OfReg on consumer issues.
The new council is chaired by George R. Ebanks and includes Tony Catalanotto, Judy Dilbert, J. Paul Meyer, Megan Ritch, Alanna Warwick-Smith and Natalie Holder-Wellington as council members.
In a statement on behalf of the new council, Ebanks said, “I wish to commend OfReg for having the foresight and wisdom in establishing the Consumer Council. The Council is not a formal committee of OfReg and will be operating autonomously but will be active on behalf of consumers in making proposals and providing advice to OfReg for further action.
“Under my Chairmanship the Council will aim to discharge its duties by seeking out the views of each and every consumer of these Islands. To be successful, we must be an active conduit through which the average ‘man on the street’ consumer can, and must, have a seat at the table of regulatory compliance and transparency.”
Ebanks stressed the council’s commitment to become the voice of consumer complaints in the utilities sector, by ensuring the progress of complaints to the management level of OfReg for formal processing.
He also promised the council would represent consumers across the Cayman Islands by seeking information about related matters as well as the views of consumers by holding public meetings in each district, including Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
“The Council will be a strong advocate and demonstrate to the average consumer that the Council is on their side as we develop a partnership with them that reflects their views and ensures that OfReg will be confident in our reports to them,” Ebanks said.
The Consumer Council will report directly to OfReg CEO Peter Gough.
“OfReg has a statutory obligation to represent and protect the rights of the consumer in the utility sectors,” Gough said. “The new Consumer Council is a crucial element of ensuring we do so effectively, and we look forward to working with the Chair and the rest of the Council Members in fulfilling our responsibilities to consumers in the Cayman Islands.”
OfReg is looking for a local representative for the Sister Islands and interested persons are asked to email [email protected].
The council can be contacted by email at [email protected] or calling 949-9307 or 516-9885.
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