Body blow

Malcolm Gibbs-Taitt. (FP)

By Lisa King | Tue, May 15, 2012 - 12:10 AM

The work of the Barbados Consumers Research Organization (BARCO) and the leadership of director general Malcolm Gibbs-Taitt were yesterday called into serious question, as a new consumer rights group was formally announced.

Citing a lack of transparency and a void in representation by the sole consumer affairs body on the island, the spokeswoman for the soon-to-be registered Consumer Trade and Research Association (CTRA), Valerie Grannum, said the focus of CTRA would be on accountability, transparency and public engagement.

Her criticisms of BARCO were strongly backed up by Ralph Boyce, the chairman of the Men’s Educational Support Association (MESA), who described BARCO as a “one-man” show.

Boyce took to the local airwaves yesterday to publicly vent his frustration with the organization, headed by Gibbs-Taitt, who he contended needed to step aside.

The MESA head, who also questioned the legitimacy of the consumer rights organization on the Down To Brass Tacks call-in programme on Starcom Network, expressed doubt about Gibbs-Taitt’s claim that the organization had 600 members.

Read the full story in today's DAILY NATION.

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Posted by Monica Wilkinson 1 year ago: Can't help wondering if yesterday's radio encounter was not a set-up to ambush and whether or not it was political, reason being, why was a Minister there at the attack. I think I heard one of the ladies said that a Minister was present during the radio debate. Just wondering if that was the best way to deal with the issue. Fine, if it is felt that the current organisation is not doing what it is supposed to do, then yes, by all means go ahead and set up your own (which hopefully will fill the void) without trying to destroy anyone in the process . That's my view.