…Commend Consumer Protection Committee’s Proactiveness
BENIN CITY — Stakeholders in Edo State have called on the state government and relevant regulatory and security agencies to impose stiffer penalties on producers and dealers in counterfeit and adulterated products, warning that their activities pose serious threats to public health and amount to criminal offences.
The stakeholders made the call on Tuesday at a Town Hall/Stakeholders’ Meeting organised by the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee with the theme: “Eradicating Counterfeit/Adulterated Products, Enforcing Consumer Rights, Promoting Standards and Practising Fair and Responsible Trading in Edo State.”
The stakeholders, drawn from civil society organisations, market associations, security agencies, cement traders and the media, expressed concern over the proliferation of fake, adulterated and substandard products in markets and business outlets across the state.
They noted that the continued circulation of such products was causing serious harm to consumers and called for stronger enforcement measures to protect the public.
The stakeholders also commended the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for establishing what they described as a formidable mechanism through the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee to tackle the menace.
They pledged their support and collaboration with the committee to ensure the success of its consumer protection mandate.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman of the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee, Comrade Osaro Culture Iyamu, said the recent enforcement actions and ban on counterfeit and adulterated products by the Federal Government informed the decision to convene the stakeholders’ meeting.
He said the initiative was also in line with the SHINE Agenda of the present administration in Edo State.
Iyamu said all stakeholders had a critical role to play in protecting society from fake, adulterated and substandard products, stressing that consumers’ fundamental rights, including the right to choose, the right to information and the right to safety, must not be compromised.
According to him, the constitution of the Consumer Protection Committee by Governor Okpebholo was largely influenced by the health hazards associated with the consumption of fake and adulterated products.
He said the state government was prepared to impose stiffer penalties on perpetrators, noting that many lives had been destroyed or adversely affected by the activities of producers and dealers in harmful products.
The chairman therefore solicited the support and collaboration of stakeholders to enable the committee discharge its responsibilities diligently and effectively.
He assured that the government was ready to prosecute offenders in accordance with the law, stressing that the ultimate objective was to protect consumers and build a safer society.
In a related development, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, AIG Monday Agbonika, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Gabriel Dibie, Ph.D., commended the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee for its efforts in the fight against counterfeit and adulterated products.
He assured the committee of the police command’s collaboration in arresting and prosecuting persons involved in the production and sale of fake and adulterated products.
The police boss said such enforcement would serve as a deterrent to other criminally minded persons engaging in activities capable of endangering the lives and wellbeing of residents.
The stakeholders also raised concerns over alleged abuses of consumers’ rights, including excessive billing by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), alleged overcharging by banks and telecommunication companies, as well as the circulation of adulterated food products.
They specifically expressed concern over alleged practices involving the adulteration of palm oil and beans with harmful substances, as well as the use of dangerous chemicals to preserve fruits and vegetables.
They urged relevant authorities to intensify surveillance, public enlightenment, testing and enforcement to protect consumers from such practices.
Those present at the meeting included leaders of the Ekiosa Market Women, members of the United Beverages Association in Benin City, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Edo State, Hon. Andrew Momodu, representatives of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations in the state, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, among others.