TCRACCC forms Shinyanga consumers committee

SHINYANGA: THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority Consumer Consultative Council (TCRACCC) this week formed the Shinyanga Regional Communications Services Consumers Committee to strengthen the protection of consumers’ rights and safety.

The move aims to ensure challenges facing users are brought to the attention of relevant authorities for appropriate action.

The five-member committee represents youth, women, entrepreneurs, special groups, as well as religious leaders and leaders from wards, streets and villages.

The committee will be responsible for educating and sensitising consumers, collecting their views and concerns at the regional level and presenting them to the council.

Speaking during initial training for the representatives, TCRA-CCC Executive Secretary Mary Msuya said the establishment of the committees was provided for under the law and aimed at ensuring the needs of different groups of communications service consumers were identified and represented.

ALSO READ: FCS and TCRA CCC partner to enhance protection for communication service users

“So far, we have managed to establish 22 committees in different regions across the country, including four regions in Zanzibar and 18 in Mainland Tanzania. Today, Shinyanga becomes the 23rd region to establish such a committee,” Ms Msuya said.

She said the committees were important in strengthening consumer participation and ensuring that their concerns reached the relevant authorities.

TCRA-CCC Head of Education and Sensitisation Department, Ms Hilary Tesha, said the committee would help ensure citizens understood their rights and responsibilities as consumers of communications services.

He said the committee should also serve as a listening ear for consumers by collecting challenges they face and presenting them to the relevant authorities for action.