Abuja: The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced an extension of its market surveillance and product testing activities to include electrical, electronics, cables, and building materials. This move aims to ensure strict adherence to regulatory standards amid rising concerns over product safety and incidents of collapsed buildings.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, Director of the Surveillance and Investigations Department at FCCPC, highlighted that the commission has frequently encountered products failing to meet essential safety and quality standards. Speaking on behalf of Mr. Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Adeyinka stated that the FCCPC is committed to investigating any business conduct that may compromise consumer safety.
Adeyinka emphasized the importance of collaboration with various sector regulators to address vulnerabilities that allow unsafe products to enter or remain in the market. She underscored the legal obligations for businesses to promptly withdraw and recall products posing safety risks, as well as to inform consumers about these issues.
Adeyinka made it clear that these actions are mandatory under Nigerian law, aimed at safeguarding product safety and consumer welfare. Failure to comply with these regulations will prompt stringent responses from the FCCPC. She reiterated that compliance with these standards is a statutory duty, not a discretionary favor to the regulator.
The FCCPC, under the leadership of Bello, remains steadfast in its mission to monitor and enforce market compliance. Adeyinka called for consumers to stay informed, vigilant, and proactive in reporting any product concerns to the commission through its hotline or website.
Adeyinka encouraged consumers to report suspicious products, even if they are not the purchasers, to assist the commission in taking swift action to remove such products from the market, thereby protecting a broader consumer base.
The FCCPC’s commitment to protecting consumer rights and advancing fair market outcomes remains unwavering, as it continues its efforts to ensure a safe and reliable marketplace.