FCCPC Inaugurates Joint Market Monitoring Taskforce, Restates Commitment To Protecting Consumers

As part of measures to further sanitize Nigerian markets, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has inaugurated Joint Market Monitoring Taskforce for markets in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking during the flag off of the phase one of the Taskforce in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello solicited the support of market Leaders and Executives towards realizing the objectives of the Taskforce.

Represented by the Director, Surveillance and Investigations in FCCPC, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, the Executive Vice Chairman said the Commission would continue to put strategies in place towards safeguarding Nigerian consumers.

“This event, again, underscores FCCPC’s commitment and resolve to protect Nigerian consumers from harmful and unsafe products and also to promote business competitiveness in the Nigerian market
and it’s no news that our markets are flooded with fake, counterfeit and substandard consumer products that are not-fit for intended purposes or clearly unsafe or injurious to consumer welfare. At a time when both consumers and businesses are experiencing economic challenges, getting value for money expended on products has becomes very imperative’ He stated

According to him, section 17 (m) (1) (g) (p) (r) (s) (t) of the FCCPA mandates the Commission to seek ways and means of removing hazardous and unsafe products from our markets, eliminate obnoxious and unscrupulous business and marketing practices that are deceptive unfair, and misleading, including anti-competitive practices that substantially prevent or lessen competition in our markets”.

“The Commission in delivering her mandate, priorities cooperation and collaboration with key stakeholders for greater success. There are many players and stakeholders in our marketplaces. Effective market monitoring operations requires all hands to be on deck, that is, the regulators as well as the market executives or market union leaders need to come together as a team to make our market work for all.and today, the Commission will be inaugurating the first set of JMMT covering 4 Markets within the FCT as we flag off Phase 1 of the joint marketing monitoring operations which will be established in all our markets across the nation” Mr Tunji Bello explained.

“Present with us today to flag off the Phase 1 are representatives of 4 Markets within the FCT namely Wuse Market, Utako Market, Garki International Market and Garki Modern Market while the terms of Reference to guide the operations of JMMT have been discussed and communicated to members of the JMMT, who have also made commitments to support the Commission’s effort”: the FCCPC Boss stressed

He therefore solicited the cooperation of the general public in providing credible information or intelligence or alert on any violations of any consumer protection laws or enactment in Nigeria via our email, hot lines, complaint portal or any of social media handles

In a remark, the Head, Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Market Management Limited, Musa Shelleng commended FCCPC for the Taskforce.

While calling for effective sensitization of traders on the Taskforce, he promised the Market Management support towards actualizing the objectives of the Taskforce.

On his part, the Chairman of Garki Market, Mr Paul Nnamani also lauded the initiative of the Taskforce and promised to enlighten his members on the need to keep to the terms of reference of the Taskforce.

Mr Nnamani called on trader to shun sharp practices and ensure that consumers have values for their money.

Other Market Leaders and Executives who spoke at the event stressed the need for FCCPC to carry all stakeholders along on its Joint Market Monitoring Taskforce towards realizing its mandate.