Zim celebrates World Consumer Rights Day

REGIONAL INTEGRATION: Consumer Protection Law In The Offing — Stephen Kamukama

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe Wednesday, March 15, joined the world in commemorating World Consumer Rights Day which is celebrated annually on this day with the aim of raising global awareness about the rights and needs of consumers.

This year, the global theme is: "Promoting universal access to sustainable energy by 2030".

Speaking on the sidelines on the main event at the Harare International Conference Centre, COMESA Manager for Consumer Welfare, Stephen Kamukama, said the work of his organisation is to ensure consumers protect themselves from hazardous products or services and have information about them.

“This is a very special day for us as COMESA, this year we are talking about the transition to clean energy, this is energy that does not produce gases which cause emissions resulting in pollution.

“The issue of green energy is a consumer concern as it affects the product cost, quality and accessibility in terms of language, for instance. One can be misled into believing that a product can last up to one week when it is not so.

“We regulate practices that hinder efficient performance on the market and undermine consumer welfare. As the regional body, we regulate the acts and practices of companies, suppliers in the market that affect cross-border member states, of which Zimbabwe is a member state.

“We work with Zimbabwe and authorities in the country to address such concerns,” he said.

COMESA comprises 21 African Member States that came together with the aim of promoting regional integration through trade and the development of natural and human resources for the mutual benefit of all people in the region.