Sanctions await violators of consumer rights in Lagos State, the government has warned.
Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Lola Akande, gave the warning at an event to mark the 2022 World Consumer Rights Day, organised by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA). The theme is: ‘Fair Digital Finance’.
The Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every March 15 to raise awareness on consumer rights and needs.
Akande said consumers have a right to safety, healthy environment, seek redress, to basic needs and others. She, however, said most people did not know these, promising that the government would work to ensure people’s rights were protected.
The commissioner said: “We will ensure consumers’ rights are protected and, if need be, sanctions will be meted out to those who violate these rights, be it companies, banks or law enforcement agents.
“I urge LASCOPA to keep sensitising the people to know their rights and the government will play its part.”
The Board Chairman of LASCOPA, Mrs. Funmi Falana, represented by Mrs. Lekan Rotimi, said consumers’ rights must be protected so that abuses and injustice could be addressed under the law.
She advised the people to untie to build a digital financial market space that was safe, protected and sustainable for everyone.
“Consumers must get maximum benefit from digital financial services and be comfortable that their money and data are secure and accessible,” she added.
Falana enjoined consumers to guard against online activities that could expose them to fraudsters.
The General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, urged the people to tap into opportunities offered by the agency.
He admonished consumers to get familiar with the digital space, saying “consumers are an essential part of a safe and secure financial system. However, consumers should be able to understand the financial system and the choices they can make. Over 3 billion or 40 per cent of the world’s population is now online, compared to the one per cent in 1995, with all projections suggesting that the number will continue to rise. The financial system we will see in five or 10 years will be different from the one we have today.
“The financial system is changing, and it’s changing rapidly. So, we need to be ready to shape the changes ahead, and not be overwhelmed by them.”
Solebo urged service providers to treat their customers well, knowing that without customers/consumers, they wouldn’t be in business.