The Senate has tasked Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to redouble its efforts in protecting Nigerian consumers
By Haruna Salami
The Senate has tasked Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to redouble its efforts in protecting Nigerian consumers in the face of the current inflation in the country.
This was handed down by the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment Monday during the screening of Olantunji Bello, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for appointment as the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC.
Senators, especially those from Lagos state like Tokumbo Abiru, Idiat Adebule, etc took turns to speak about Mr. Tunji Bello as a journalist, lawyer and public administrator, especially as a Commissioner for Environment under Tinubu as governor of Lagos, Secretary to State Government (SSG) under Governor Ambode and commissioner under the current Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. All of them attested to his capacity and character.
The chairman of the committee, Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North) said the nominee, if confirmed, should know there is a lot of work to do to protect Nigerian consumers, especially satellite TV service providers.
The nominee, Tunji Bello, in response to the concern raise by the chairman and his colleagues said FCCPC will look at the terms the service providers give to Nigeria and compare it to what they give in other countries, for example, in South Africa so that Nigerians are not unnecessarily exploited.
“I know in other parts of the world, if you are not available to watch, they charge you per view. You pay according to what you are able to watch. This is the new area we have to look at”.
Mr. Bello told the senators that Nigerian national interest will be his guiding principle if confirmed by the Senate, adding that consumer protection should get to tomato and pepper consumers at the lower level of the economy.
The nominee also promised to embark on more public enlightenment to create the awareness about the activities of the commission so that Nigerian consumers can insist on their rights.
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