FCCPC: Imperatives of a war against sharp market practices

The last few weeks had been busy for men of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). The federal government agency, saddled with the onerous task of ensuring the rights of Nigerian consumers are not violated, had, during this period, visited Daleko, Mile 12, Tejuosho and the popular Alaba International Electronic Markets, all in Lagos, as part of its National Market Engagement Initiative.

 The commission had explained that such engagements were needed to create public awareness regarding the exercise of its powers and performance of functions, in accordance with Section 17(I) of the FCCPA.

 The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Tunji Bello, at those engagements, had recognised the key role stakeholders in such markets play in the economic activity and welfare of consumers in the country.

 “As a matter of fact, consumer protection starts with you, the hardworking men and women who rise early, open your shops, power the economy, and ensure that consumers get value for their purchases,” the FCCPC boss, who was represented by the commission’s Principal Consumer and Business Education Officer, Bridget Etim, stated.

 He, however, expressed regrets that despite the hard work and tireless efforts being put in by some traders, others still engaged in sharp market practices that shortchange consumers.

 According to him, the agency’s operatives were at Daleko market in Mushin area of Lagos earlier,   where they uncovered suspected expired rice that was being rebagged and sold as premium brands.

Describing the practice as wrong and illegal, the FCCPC boss noted that, if not nipped in the bud, the act might put lives at risk and damage the reputation of all traders.

  Bello explained that the agency was visiting iconic markets in Lagos to deepen its engagement with traders, strengthen compliance with consumer protection laws, and listen directly to the concerns of everyday market actors.

 He expressed the agency’s concerns about tampered scales, under-weighing and repackaging of spoilt or expired produce to make it appear fresh, at  Mile 12 market.

“We are also looking into price fixing of core staples like rice, pepper, and yam,” he added.

Bello also expressed the agency’s concerns about sales of counterfeit appliances, which, he stated, are usually mislabeled ‘Tokunbo’ goods; false warranty claims; and coordinated price-fixing of electronics such as television sets, generators, and phones, at Alaba International Market.

“At Tejuosho Market, known for textiles and general goods, we are addressing issues of faking, sub-standard personal effects, and houseware and cartel-like pricing within market associations,” he added.

While stressing the gravity of these offences, Bello explained that the practices violate key provisions of the FCCPA 2018, harm the integrity of the market, and put honest traders at a disadvantage.

Hurdles to surmount…

Not a few have commended the agency on the new efforts at sanitising those markets, and others, which are becoming increasingly notorious for sharp practices.

They are, however, of the opinion that there are hurdles to surmount by the agency in task of sanitising those markets.

One of such, they argue, is the texture of the individuals and groups that it’s up against. They believe the agency would have to be firmer since it is dealing with some recalcitrant individuals and groups, hell-bent on exploiting the markets for personal, selfish gains.

For instance, the resistance put up at Daleko market by some traders, despite being caught in the act, they noted, should be an eye-opener for the agency to begin to wield the big stick so as  to be seen as having the necessary arsenal to effectively deal with infractions of such nature, and prosecute the ‘war’.

“You can imagine a situation where some of those traders, at Daleko market, were boasting they would reopen the shop found to be complicit in illegal re-bagging of rice, and sealed by the agency. Is that not an affront on constituted authorities? Don’t you think there are some backings they seem to enjoy that give them this false confidence? The more the relevant authorities put them where they belong the better for stakeholders, especially those ready to engage in decent businesses,”  stated an eyewitness to the agency’s enforcement at Daleko Market.

Besides, the decision of the market leaders at Tejuosho market, to disallow the media from covering the open forum engagement, involving them and the FCCPC’s team was also seen by many as an affront on the agency, and the federal government it represents.

The leadership of the market had insisted media practitioners present must leave before agreeing to the commencement of the day’s proceeding.

“It is not done anywhere. An operator can not begin to dictate to the regulator, especially when cases of infractions have been carefully established against such operator.

“Why would the Tejuosho market leadership not allow the media to witness a public engagement it was having with the commission? Was there anything to hide? Are they, in the case, inferring there is a bigger power within the market, than that of the federal government? I think their action raises more questions than answers. It is one of those hurdles the agency should be ready scale, the hurdle of price-fixing, if it wants to succeed in these efforts,” Ayoola Dimeji, a frequent patron of the market, argued.

Interestingly, winning this ‘war’ is not optional for the commission. Feelers from government quarters revealed that those in authority are finding it concerning that the different efforts of the government at reducing prices of goods and services are not trickling down due to the activities of those traders that have continued to sabotage such efforts.

But, the commission is that the engagements will yield results.

“We are optimistic that at the end of this engagement, FCCPC and all relevant market associations will commit to our shared vision to eliminate all forms of abusive and deceptive practices that rip off consumers and tarnish the integrity of our markets,” he added.

READ ALSO: FCCPC vows to tackle price fixing, sub-standard products in Lagos markets