The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Babatunde Irukera

  • Competition legislation will grow businesses — CPC boss

    Mr Babatunde Irukera, the Director -General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), said a good competition regime would aid the growth of businesses in the country.

    Irukera said this at the 2018 World Competition Day organised by the Centre for Trade and Business Environment Advocacy (CTBA) and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The theme of the event was “Digital Economy, Innovation and Competition and Consumer Protection Bill.’’

    Irukera, during a panel discussion at the event said failure of a competition regime would prevent more investors from coming into the market.

    He, however, said that competition legislation may not necessarily improve the capacity of those who are unable to succeed in the market.

    “This is because it is not every time that it is the lack of competition that is their failure to succeed, sometimes governance and all other factors may be the case.

    “But if you look at it from the consumer protection standpoint, on economic development standpoint and employment stand point, you should be more concerned about those who are unable to succeed.

    “Although, the existence of the legislation alone will deal with some of the challenges.’’

    On the challenges faced by consumers through payment systems, Irukera said the key things was to have a clear service level agreement between the main systems and vendors.

    He said the case where consumers sometimes engage in transactions that does not get concluded and the Bank or vendor referred them to e-transact was not ideal.

    Irukera said the consumer do not know e-transact, and did not choose the option of e-transact, and no option whatsoever was given to him to choose from, so he should not be referred to e-transact.

    “So, we need to have a service level agreement that makes things seamless on the front end, so you can have indemnity system.

    “We need a service level agreement so that if something does not go well, there will be a way to go about it.

    “There has to be something that bridges that gap, and we are hopeful that with time this will be improve.’’

    The director – general said the council had spent more than a year trying to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would assist in writing the guidelines for electronic transactions.

    Irukera, while speaking on the challenges faced by consumers in the telecommunication sector, said there was the need for stronger collaboration between regulators.

  • CPC commends OAU over sexual harassment case

    The Consumer Protection Council ( CPC ) has commended prompt actions by the management of Obafeme Awolowo University ( OAU ) in the alleged sexual harassment of one of its female students.

    The Director-General of CPC, Mr Babatunde Irukera, gave the commendation on Monday in a statement by Mr Abiodun Obimuyiwa, CPC Head of Media.

    Irukera said the council had keenly followed the raging controversy regarding the sexually and emotionally abusive conduct of demanding, and or providing sexual gratification in exchange for favourable grades in school.

    He noted that the widely discussed controversy underscored an allegedly pervasive practice.

    Recently, there had been a leaked and widely circulated audio clip that appeared to have captured a telephonic conversation or “negotiation” between a female student and a member of faculty at OAU, Ile Ife.

    The audio clip had been authenticated and both the member of faculty and student/victim had been identified.

    According to Irukera, “CPC notes the prompt actions taken by the authorities of OAU and commends the responsiveness so far displayed, in addressing a rather insidious and predatory incident.

    “The Council further welcomes the expressed commitment of OAU to an open and transparent investigation, as well as the promise to publish the outcome of the investigation.

    “The Council encourages OAU to ensure this investigation is broad, balanced and inclusive.”

    Irukera urged management of the school to include people and views from all relevant stakeholders in handling the case to promote confidence, equity and fairness.

    He named such stakeholders to include faculty, professional disciplinary bodies, student representation, relevant civil society specialising in sexual harassment, gender objectification, consumer protection and institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission.

    The CPC boss also urged the school management to ensure the investigative process encouraged contributions and protected both identified and anonymous contributors.

    He said the authorities must in addition provide necessary safeguards that, such persons were not otherwise victimised, “blacklisted” or subjected to any reprisal on account of their cooperation with the investigation.

    Irukera said,”a transparent, comprehensive and decisive approach to a matter of this nature is vital for reputation and quality of education.

    “Failure to fully and sufficiently address the issue compromises the entire institution and victimises not only the students who are directly solicited, induced or compelled, but others who decline, and those who are not considered or propositioned.

    “This is because educational outcomes skewed by such factors operate to the disadvantage of all, especially where class rank is a factor in evaluating performance.”

    Furthermore, Irukera called on all relevant authorities in OAU and other institutions to assiduously address this conduct, or others ancillary to it in order to restore institutional reputation.

    This, he said would ensure that students, being consumers of educational services were able to pursue scholarship in institutions that provided safe, secure and liberal environment.

    He said that it would also ensure that the relationship between faculty and students led to robust and confident knowledge sharing.

    NAN

  • CPC backs FG increase of excise duty on tobacco, alcoholic products

    The Consumer Protection Council ( CPC ) says it supports the Federal Government’s recent increase in excise duty on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

    The Director-General, Mr Babatunde Irukera said this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to him, the increase will serve as a measure to reduce the risks of abuse and disease.

    He also applauded the Federal Government’s consideration for consumers in “granting a 90-day moratorium and periodic incremental adjustments to ensure appropriate balance between personal consumer choices and the public interest.

    “I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his strong leadership in addressing this vital consumer issue in a manner that is consistent with prevailing global practices.”

    Irukera said that though CPC protects the rights of all consumers and their prerogative to make personal lifestyle choices, it, however, encourages responsible consumption in all circumstances.

    He said that of particular concern were products that may potentially have adverse effects or possibly modify behaviour in a fashion that may be harmful or inconvenient to the consumer, or others.

    He said that the policy was the product of consensus pursuant to broad stakeholders’ engagement and was motivated in large part by the Federal Government’s desire to reduce the risks of abuse and disease that may be associated with consumption of these products.

    According to him, the Federal Government’s approach will also foster consumer confidence, provide regulatory clarity and prioritise safety, all of which reinforces the mandate of the council.

    “The council insists that all producers, particularly of the products subject of this revised excise duty must take appropriate steps, including full disclosures to promote responsible consumption, responsive, transparent and accessible consumer complaint resolution mechanisms to protect and satisfy consumers.”

    The Federal Government on Monday increased excise duty on alcoholic beverages and tobacco, with effect from June 4.

    The excise duty rates were spread over a three-year period from 2018 to 2020 in order to moderate the impact on prices of the affected products.

    It is expected that the upward review of the excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco will achieve dual benefits of raising the government revenues.

    It is also expected to reduce the health hazards associated with tobacco-related diseases and alcohol abuse.

    NAN

  • Quality of goods, services will no longer be compromised – Enelamah

    Quality of goods, services will no longer be compromised – Enelamah

    Quality of goods and services will no longer be compromised in Nigeria, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, has said.

    Enelamah made the assertion at the 1st Nigeria National Quality Award ( NiNQA ) in Lagos.

    NiNQA was launched on April 20 and developed within the National Quality Project in Nigeria ( NQIP ).

    NQIP is a 12 million Euros project funded by the European Union ( EU ) and implemented by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation ( UNIDO ) as part of the strategies to increase awareness on quality and standard in Nigeria.

    Enelamah, represented by Mrs Omololu Opeyemi, the Director, Nigeria Commodity Exchange, said the focus of government and enterprises should be on product quality and service delivery.

    He said that the award by UNIDO was apt, especially as the nation’s economy has stabilised, adding that such programme was needed for sustainability.

    The minister said that the Federal Government would continue to make giant strides toward improving the ease of doing business in the country.

    He noted that the enterprising spirit of Nigerians would be more productive without hurdles in their path.

    Enelamah said that this was the government’s strategic policy for industrial development with the cooperation and partnership with international bodies like UNIDO for effective development of industrial initiatives toward impacting the economy.

    The minister said that government recently embarked on an industrialisation programme to increase the contribution of manufacturing sector to Gross Domestic Products ( GDP ) in the next five years.

    According to him, the initiative will make Nigeria a manufacturing hub for West Africa region and diversification of the economy will be driven through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan ( ERGP ).

    He said that the plan was to periodically review economic performance, opportunities, trends and challenges within the sector toward providing innovative intervention to boost investment and productivity.

    “Confidence building for creating trust is critical in enabling environment for investment and competitiveness.

    “The Nigeria National Quality Award initiative is a veritable tool in building both local and international trust in Nigeria for enhanced development,” he said.

    In his remarks, Mr Jean Bakole, the UNIDO Director in Nigeria, said trade has been identified as a driver of economic growth and good quality was essential for local, regional and international market.

    Bakole said that the award seeks to increase awareness on quality standards, contribute to consumers’ confidence in Nigerian products and promote healthy competition among manufacturers and service providers.

    According to him, quality ensures promotion of best management practices and supports private and public sector organisations to develop and implement best management practices.

    He said that criteria for the award were based on national and international standards like ISO 9000 Quality Management System and ISO 9004.

    Bakole said that quality ensures competitiveness, economic growth and improved living standards for consumers.

    He said that UNIDO was committed to assist Nigeria in its journey to quality toward boosting participation in global trade.

    Also, Mr Babatunde Irukera, the Director-General, Consumer Protection Council ( CPC ), said that UNIDO, through its activities, was erecting a building blocks that changes consumerism in the country.

    Irukera said that the award would drive corporate obligatory responsibility that calls for quality in every facet of interaction with a product or service.

    NAN