The Lagos Zonal Office of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has resolved more than 15,000 consumer complaints received through its online portal and physical office in the Lagos Zone.
The Zonal Coordinator of the Lagos Office, Dr Olubunmi Otti, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists at the commission’s office in Ikeja.
Otti said the complaints were received through the FCCPC’s website and directly at the Lagos Corporate Office.
According to her, consumers who purchase products and services have a right to expect value for their money and can seek redress when such expectations are not met.
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She, however, explained that consumers must first engage the service provider before approaching the FCCPC if they remain dissatisfied with the response.
“In order for FCCPC to address a complaint, the complainant must have engaged the service provider, and if you are not satisfied with the services provided, you have a right to seek redress from FCCPC,” she said.
Otti directed consumers seeking redress to use the commission’s complaints portal or visit its Lagos office at 17 Oremeta Street, Opebi Link Bridge Road, off Oregun Road, Ikeja.
She said complaints should contain relevant details, including the address and location of the service provider, receipt of purchase, amount involved and the specific redress being sought.
The zonal coordinator said that out of about 17,000 complaints received through the portal and directly at the zonal office, more than 15,000 had been resolved, primarily to protect the interests and welfare of consumers.
The FCCPC is empowered by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, to promote fair business practices and safeguard consumer interests.
The commission also works to prevent practices that could lead to the abuse of market dominance or monopolies and investigates anti-competitive practices, including price fixing, bid rigging, market allocation and abuse of dominant market positions.
Otti encouraged consumers to approach the commission with complaints relating to issues such as: Return and refund of products; Product labelling; Pricing; Hidden prices; Sale of substandard products; Product tagging; and Improper labelling.
She noted that product labelling should be provided in English. Consumers can submit complaints through the FCCPC’s complaints portal or contact the Lagos Zonal Office on 08147170738.
According to Otti, the commission resolves consumer complaints through various mechanisms, including direct engagement, negotiation, mediation, conciliation and administrative hearings.
She urged consumers who were dissatisfied with products or services provided by businesses to come forward and seek redress.
“The satisfaction and safety of Nigerian consumers are paramount to the commission and nothing more,” she affirmed.