*Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has tasked companies and service providers to set up a credible, accessible and transparent mechanism for consumer complaints

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

In regard to the ultimate well-being of consumers in marketplace in the Nigerian economy, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has emphasised the need for industries, businesses and organisations to institute a credible, accessible and transparent mechanism for resolution of consumer complaints over products and service delivery.

绿帽献妻 reports Mr. Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the regulatory Commission stated this Thursday, March 31, 2022, at a collaborative engagement with the media in Lagos.

A cross-section of media professionals at the collaborative engagement聽

In his address at the interactive forum with media professionals on the well-timed theme: 鈥淣uts And Bolts Of Market Regulation: In A World And Season Of Conflict, Global And Supply Chain Challenges, Markets Are Impacted And Consumers Seem To Have No Respite鈥�, Irukera said the FCCPC had continued to active its constitutional mandate to protect consumer rights in the country鈥檚 economy through practical measures, such as mediation, resolution, compensation, and other administrative procedure.

The EVC/CEO of the Commission, also noted that the regulator adopts market surveillance, enforcement and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in addressing most issues affecting the welfare of Nigerian consumers.

Mrs. Susie Onwuka (l), Head of FCCPC Lagos Office聽

In order to ensure the younger generation of Nigerians make appreciable contributions to propagation of consumer sensitisation and education at the grassroots in the country, Irukera disclosed the Commission has also instituted consumer clubs and the National Young Consumer Contest in secondary schools for students to imbibe the quality culture and become aware of the FCCPC鈥檚 core mandate.

Power of inter-agency collaborations

In his address earlier preceded by an insightful documentary on the latest activities of the Commission, the FCCPC Chief Executive as stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement.

According to him, in the Commission鈥檚 collaborative partnerships with sister agencies, such as the National Agency Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) among others.

He stated that such stakeholder engagement with other regulatory agencies is essential in enforceable principles and regulations, and improved service delivery.

Some of the media representatives in attendance

On the partnership meeting with the media Thursday, Irukera described the Fourth Estate of the Realm as a “critical infrastructure” in projecting the constitutional obligation of the government Ministries, Departments And Agencies (MDAs) to protect the citizens.

On ‘State of the Market’

Irukera further said as regards the realities in the marketplace in this era of “intra-pandemic” in the Nigerian economy, consumers are confronted with sundry issues, ranging from abusive conduct of manufacturers/producers, high prices of goods and services to outright shortchanging of consumers.

He, therefore, tasked the industries and services sector of the economy to activate a functional tool or framework for accountability towards protecting the citizenry.

Besides, the FCCPC Chief as well challenged industries to see their their relationship with consumers beyond a mere commercial contract but a social pact that will re-energise and boost consumer confidence in the marketplace.

While urging industries to set up stand-alone, credible, accessible and transparent mechanism for resolution of consumer complaints, Irukera also advised Nigerian consumers to gain more awareness of their rights and insist on same for remedies to their complaints.