Mrs. Ify Umenyi sits atop as Director General, Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), an agency saddled with the responsibility of enforcing consumer rights. In this interview with Bukola Afolabi she speaks on the challenges and prospects her job offers
One would have expected that the Consumer Rights Protection (CPC) would be at the borders at least to be able to apprehend some of these unscrupulous businessmen who import substandard products into the country but this is not so. Why?
At Consumer Protection Commission, we have our job caught out for us. The Commission’s mandate is to checkmate the sales and distribution of fake products already in the country and not to stop them from entering the country through the borders. The responsibility of making sure such banned and substandard goods does not find its way into the country lies with the Nigerian Customs Service and Immigration Service, two agencies that are situated at the country’s numerous borders.
At the border, we have the Customs and Immigration. I am not sure if the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON is there. The issue of border is to prevent goods from coming in because those goods that are coming illegally will be checked. We cannot be at the border because our concern as directed by the government is to prevent their sales when they get into the country. We can only catch people within the country on their way to the market to sell these goods once we have a tip off.
I want to find out what you are doing in the oil and gas sector especially the filling stations because recently, those selling fuel are reported to be demanding for N200 from every buyer before they sell fuel whereas your Commission is expected to protect consumers?
Sometimes it is due to desperation. People do pay such money in the rush to buy fuel. We all know that even owners of these stations are not even aware of such demands from attendants. It is wrong. Well, it is an issue and it is not an issue. It is not an issue in the sense that it is not all the people that are doing illegal thing. If we (CPC) happen to be there and we catch them, we discipline them appropriately. Our consumers also have a responsibility. They should be on the queue whenever they want to buy fuel. Those that pay that money are those who try to leave the line and get in front of others. In other words, they shunt!
No. Even at NNPC stations, people complain that even attendants don’t sell to car owners but they prefer to sell to those with kegs and even demand for gratification from prospective buyers?
I am using this opportunity to charge the Lagos office because I have not heard of this situation before now. They should carry out investigations and go with law enforcement officials because it is the only way they will know what is going on.
The president of Nigeria Liquefied Gas said there are fake gas cylinders in circulation. What danger does this pose?
We are working with SON on that because they have the equipment to check on those gas cylinders. I heard complain about the issue of these cylinders and I know our quality department had some discussions with SON though I cannot tell you precisely what they are doing. When we get such complaints, what we do is to get regulators like SON that has the expertise to carry out investigation.
What are the differences in your duties with that of other regulating bodies like NAFDAC and SON?
They have the responsibility to make sure they have standard for every product. SON set the minimum required standard, you can go above it but you cannot go below. NAFDAC is a sector regulating pharmaceutical products, foods and drinks. They set the rules that guide both the production and sale. CPC works with NAFDAC, SON and other regulators. We contribute to the regulations that are being made. We carry out those regulations. Governments have set the machinery to ensure the protection of products. The standard body conducts investigation. The end result is to ensure the protection of consumers. Government has a programme that covers 774 local governments and it is called Information and Response Centres. It is a centre where consumers could run to and get information on whatever products and services are required and at the same time report whatever they experience in the market.
