The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has inaugurated the first set of Joint Market Monitoring Taskforce JMMT covering 4 Markets within the FCT.
Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Mr Tunji Bello during inauguration in Abuja, revealed that the markets include, Wuse Market, Utako Market, Garki International Market and Garki Modern Market.
Mr Bello who was represented by the Director, Surveillance and Investigations Department of FCCPC, Boladale Adeyinka said the move 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.
“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 become very imperative“. She said
“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.”
“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.”
“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.” Adeyinka added.
She 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 to the commission.
While speaking the Head of Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Market Management, Mr Musa Shalleng urged the FCCPC to sensitize traders on the rules and regulations guiding trade in Nigerian markets.
“I can tell you for free that it’s not every trader that wants to cut corners from experience, in fact, if there is, it must be somebody that doesn’t understand how markets operate in FCT.”
“We must sensitize using every means, every channel possible, we must concentrate on these traders, we must tell them this is what to do, this is what not to do.”
Also the Chairman of Garki Model Market, Mr Paul Nnamani who commended the efforts of the FCCPC said the management of Garki Model Market will collaborate with commission in achieving it’s goals.
The Chairman of Utako Market, Mr Mr Nelson Onwuemeodo, advised the commission to also ensure that its services are well extended to all states in the federation to ensure proper protection of consumers across the Country.
Victoria Ibanga