The Tribune

Discussions on utility structure, consumer impact and alternative energy solutions are planned for tomorrow night’s Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) town meeting.

The event, which will start at 6pm at the Choices Restaurant on the University of The Bahamas campus, aims to feature open conversations on URCA’s plans for the year and the effects they will have on consumers.

Seeking a more “valuable” and “active” participation from the community, URCA wants the meeting to allow a full exchange on matters that may affect Bahamians in the months and year to come.

Discussions over electricity, telecommunications, broadcasting content regulation and an ‘URCA goes green’ project are all expected to be on the agenda as the board opens up about their strategies for the future.

“URCA’s mission statement, ‘improving lives through effective utilities regulation’, is something we all take very seriously,” said Mavis Johnson-Collie, URCA’s corporate and consumer relations manager.

“Regulatory measures are predominantly to ensure better, quality and affordable services for consumers. Our work seeks to ensure that there is a level playing field for all providers in the regulated sectors and that consumers have choice.”

“To be effective and relevant in our work, public and consumer engagement is a must. We need to hear from our stakeholders about what is important to them; what is working and what is not, which services are beneficial and/or need improvement.”

“One way of doing this is through stakeholder engagement. These town hall meetings do just that. They allow us to meet with consumers, a key stakeholder, and speak face-to-face with them about the electronic communications and electricity sectors. So we really hope the public will take advantage of these opportunities to come out and speak to some critical projects we have scheduled for 2019.”