Lagos Marks World Consumer Rights Day

Lagos State Government today joined the rest of the world to celebrate Y2019 World Consumer Rights Day with a renewed pledge to entrench respect for the rights and interests of consumers and manufacturers of smart products.

The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, who made the declaration at a press briefing to mark the Day, stated that Consumer Rights Day is a global celebration of consumer rights and solidarity within the international movement to ensure that consumer rights are respected and protected.

Oladunjoye disclosed that officials of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) would not relent on their oars in sensitising the public on the rights of the consumers, adding that the agency would soon embark on a sensitisation walk and engagement with relevant stakeholders at Ikeja Computer Village to enlighten the traders about consumer rights.

According to her, Computer Village was identified for the sensitisation exercise because the location parades an array of computer and electronic devices classified as smart products.

The Commissioner expressed optimism that the awareness-raising programme will encourage manufacturers to consider factors like consumer affordability, convenience, safety, security and privacy while producing smart devices for use by members of the public.

“We realise that owing to the incorporation of smarter products into the lives of the people, issues such as lack of security, safety amongst others and lack of internet access due to high data charges have become worrisome to both consumers and stakeholders; however, the State Government will see to these issues,” she said.

While imploring consumers and stakeholders to abide by the provisions of the Consumer Protection Policy, Oladunjoye urged the Press to support government in giving the sensitisation programme wide publicity.