In an attempt to rid markets in the state of substandard and hazardous products, Lagos State House of Assembly has begun moves to repeal the State’s Customer Protection Agency Bill.
While presenting a bill to establish Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, the Chairman House Committee On Commerce and Industry, Hon. Bisi Yusuff, said the law should not only be reviewed but repealed and re-enacted.
“Today in Nigeria especially in Lagos, there are hazardous products prevalent and so many people are falling victims of these substandard products. The implementation of the existing law needs to be seriously addressed”, said Yusuff.
In his analogy to drive home his stance, the Chairman said, “What we call soft drinks today if they are subjected to laboratory test, 95 percent of the contents are sugar. The implication is that we consume so much sugar, which leads to diabetes and this persists because nobody takes them to court.”
In his contributions, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2) described the bill as people’s bill whose intention was to protect the interest of teeming Lagosians that have had horrible customer experience from service providers like the Telecommunication network. We have Agency and body that arrest culprit but victims are left out. This amendment has created more robust fine and penalties against offenders”, he added.
Hon. Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2) in own contribution opined that if the bill is passed into law, it would help the economy of the State and also create employment in the technological industry.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1) said the extant law has been used overtime, saying that there was need to repeal and re-enact it to block some loopholes exploited by operators of the law.
According to him, The bill would give value for products bought or services paid for by consumers. It is a balanced procedure for both consumers and producers of products. The bill if passed into law will empower the agency more in achieving its stated mandate.
Also, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, said that the bill would give room for social media engagement between the agency and the general public to enhance quick response to their complaints.
“This is what is obtainable at the federal consumer protection agency. We can replicate same in Lagos and this will make the public to have confidence in the state agency”, he said.
Hon. Lukman Olumoh ( Ajeromi Ifelodun 1) maintained that the bill would enhance consumer confidence, adding, “I will suggest that offenders of the law should be well punished. The position of General Manager (GM) should not be limited to legal practitioner or State Counsel.
“The enforcement offices should be sited across the state and not be restricted to one place as it is right now”, he added.
However, the Speaker of the House, Rt (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa, after robust deliberations by the lawmakers, committed the bill to the Committee on Commerce and Industry and that it should report back in two weeks.