The Edo Consumer Protection Committee (CPC) has announced plans to commence extensive public engagement, sensitisation and statewide enforcement aimed at protecting consumers from exploitation, counterfeit products and food adulteration.
The newly inaugurated Chairman of the committee, Mr. Osaro Iyamu, disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.
Iyamu stated that the committee had already begun preliminary work on public engagement and publicity ahead of its formal inauguration. He explained that the action plan includes town hall meetings with stakeholders before the commencement of full-scale enforcement.
“Our main focus is to protect the rights of consumers and uphold standards as enshrined in the CPC mandate and the law governing CPC,” he said.
The chairman identified food adulteration, fake drugs, and exploitation by telecommunication companies and other businesses as key areas of concern. He specifically cited the adulteration of red palm oil with chemicals as one of the issues the committee would prioritise.
“Our work cuts across humans and animals. So, your question is in line with our mandate, and we are ready to tackle it,” Iyamu added.
To ensure the effectiveness of the committee and guard against inducement, he appealed to the state government to provide the necessary tools and resources on a regular basis. He noted that Governor Monday Okpebholo had already approved the release of utility vehicles to facilitate the committee’s operations.
“For us to overcome such challenges, Mr Governor must fund us, so that our eyes will not be on the money of those capitalists who have the financial means to induce us,” he said.
On manpower, Iyamu revealed that the management team currently has four members, adding that he has the authority to appoint more persons of proven integrity as task force members and staff attached to the chairman’s office.
He issued a strong warning to traders and owners of big businesses engaged in sharp practices that “it is no longer business as usual.”
“Before we commence statewide enforcement, we will engage all of them. We will meet them one-on-one and call them for a town hall meeting. We will reorientate them so that they will have a change of mind. During the town hall meeting, we will give them a timeline. Then, after the timeline, if they fail to comply, we will enforce the law,” he stated.
Iyamu further disclosed that part of the resources to be provided by the government would be used to procure laboratory equipment for the analysis of products, especially water and other consumables.