FCCPC inaugurates Joint Market Monitoring Taskforce to tackle unsafe products in FCT markets

Omeiza Bilal

Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has inaugurated the Joint Market Monitoring Taskforce (JMMT) for four markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The taskforce is expected to monitor unsafe products as well as promote business competitiveness in the markets.

The markets are: Wuse Market, Utako Market, Garki International Market and Garki Modern Market.

The Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr Tunji Bello during the event in Abuja, said the move underscores the Commission’s resolve to protect Nigerian consumers from harmful and unsafe products and also to promote business competitiveness in the Nigerian market.

While noting that fake, counterfeit and substandard products have flooded the markets, making it difficult for consumers to get value for their money.

Section 17 (m) (1) (g) (p) (r) (s) (t) of the FCCP Act mandates the Commission to seek ways and means of removing hazardous and unsafe products from our markets, eliminate obnoxious and unscrupulous business and marketing practices that are deceptive unfair, and misleading, including anti-competitive practices that substantially prevent or lessen competition in our markets.

He pledged the Commission focus on delivering on its mandate especially through collaboration with key stakeholders.

“As we flag off Phase 1 of the joint marketing monitoring operations which will be established in all our markets across the nation.

“The Terms of Reference to guide the operations of JMMT have been discussed and communicated to members of the JMMT, who have also made commitments to support the Commission’s effort.

“We solicit the cooperation of the general public in providing credible information or intelligence or alert on any violations of any consumer protection laws or enactment in Nigeria via our email, hot lines, complaint portal or any of social media handles,” he said.