World Consumer Rights Day: LASG vows to sanction violators
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday warned that heavy sanctions would be meted out on violators of consumer rights laws.
Dr Lola Akande, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives gave the warning at a Y2022 World Consumer Rights Day event.
It was organised by Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), and held at Ikeja, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the consumer rights day is celebrated every March 15, as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs.
Celebrating the day is a chance to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected, and to protest against market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights.
Akande said that so many people do not know they have rights to be protected.
She, however, noted that consumers have right to safety, to healthy environment, to seek redress, to basic need and other things.
The commissioner assured that the state government would ensure that the rights of the people are always protected.
“If consumers are having any problems, we will ensure their rights are protected and if need be, sanctions will be meted out to those who violate the rights of consumers, be it companies, banks or law enforcers.
“I urge LASCOPA to keep sensitising the people to know their rights and the need for Consumer’s Rights to be protected at all times,” she said.
Mrs Funmi Falana, LASCOPA board chairman, represented by Mrs Lekan Rotimi, said that consumers’ rights must be protected so that abuses and injustice could be addressed under the guidance of the law.
Falana said the people must join hands to build a digital financial market space that is safe, protected and sustainable for everyone.
She said: “Consumers must get maximum benefits from digital financial services and be comfortable that their money and data is secure and accessible.”
The chairman, however, advised that consumers must ensure that they guide against online activities that could make them prone to scam.
Earlier, speaking on the theme: “Fair Digital Finance”, the General Manager, LASCOPA, Mr Afolabi Solebo, urged Lagos residents to tap into the available opportunities offered by the agency.
Solebo said that service providers should know that without customers/consumers they cannot exist or thrive.
He, therefore, urged them to brace up and do the needful by ensuring that consumers get value for their money and services rendered.
NAN reports that government officials, captains of industry, bank officials, representatives of Standard Organisation of Nigeria and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, among others, were present at the event.
(NAN).
