IRC embarks on community outreach

The Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC), the body responsible for regulating the electricity sector in Dominica, is embarking on an outreach programme that will take it to communities across Dominica.  In the first phase of the programme, IRC staffers took to the streets of Roseau last month to educate persons about its’ functions and the second phase will take the form of Public Meetings within communities.

“The IRC is just over four years old and has been doing some work to educate residents about the service that it provides but we realize that we have a lot more work to do to educate customers about their rights as electricity consumers so we’re going into the communities.  The first meeting will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at the Salisbury Primary School from 6:00 p.m. and residents of St. Joseph, Salisbury, Morne Rachette and Coulibistrie are all invited to attend,” said Marie-Antoinette Mora, the IRC’s Public/Consumer Relations Manager.

A recent survey conducted by the IRC revealed that just about one-third of the population had heard of the organization and was aware of the work that it does.  The organization aims to increase this figure over the next year and has also engaged the assistance of residents to aid the process.

“We pulled together residents from various communities with different areas of expertise to form a Consumer Advisory Committee and the first meeting was held on October 12th.  The committee will provide advice and feedback to the IRC on its directions, policies, and services as they affect consumers.  The CAC’s mandate is one of advocacy and representation and is guided by two main principles – Communication and Consultation; communicating the messages of the IRC to the general public and consulting with the general public on their views with respect to their electricity supply and supplier and feeding that information back to the IRC,” added Ms. Mora.

Vanya Eloi of La Plaine is the Chair of the committee while Glenroy Toussaint of Morne Rachette is the Deputy Chair and Judy Lawrence of Portsmouth is the Secretary.   Other members include Vesta Anselm, Ashton Riviere, Cleville Mills, Julia LeBlanc, Keith Benjamin, Osborne Riviere, Gordon Baptiste, Sylvester Jno.Baptiste, Heston Charles, Paul Miller, Delroy George, Euella Joseph, Aurelius Joseph, Bertrand Telemaque and Forbes Charles.