7th December, 2010
The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has charged Nigerian consumers to fight for the protection of their rights at all times.
Mr Abiodun Ogunmuyiwa, Deputy Public Relations Officer, CPC, gave the charge in Lagos while speaking at a Consumer Forum organised by Consumer Advocacy Forum of Nigeria (COFON).
Ogunmuyiwa who was speaking on the topic, Consumer Issues in Transport System said the safety of consumers was paramount and that they must strive to enforce it individually and as groups.
He said: “In a situation where a vehicle is overloaded with passengers, it is the duty of the passengers to resist such things by cautioning the driver. They should also ensure to correct the driver when he is not driving properly because it is their right to do so.”
Ogunmuyiwa also called for a closer working relationship among agencies entrusted with the enforcement and protection of consumer rights in the transportation sector.
He said consumers should always forward their complaints to the CPC stressing that the organisation was irrevocably committed to making Nigerians enjoy the quality of goods and services paid for.
Speaking similarly, Dr. Desmond Aimiegbebhio, Deputy Director, Public Transport, LAMATA, said consumers in the transport sector have limited options which makes them unable to protect their rights.
Aimiegbebhio said, “there is problem with urban transportation, not only in Lagos but in other African countries.
“For instance when it rains, transport operators increase their fares but because the commuters have no other option of going home, they have to pay more for such services.
“What we find is that there has been no increase in quality of service but only an increase in amount paid for a service,†he added
