23rd December, 2021
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has charged consumers not to be complacent with unfair treatment by product manufacturers and service providers.
Board Chairman of the Agency, Mrs Funmi Falana stated this while announcing that the agency has opened annexe offices in Badagry, Ikoyi Obalende and Bariga.
She said rather than being complacent, consumers should know that there is a place they could seek redress either by visiting any of the LASCOPA offices or lodge their complaints online.
“It is only when you know that you have a right that you can be able to tap into it,” the Chairman added.
However, she explained that the establishment of the annexe offices was part of the determination of LASCOPA to reach every part of the State.
Falana added that plans were in place to reach other local governments and local councils development areas.
According to her, with the establishment of the new offices, the services of the agency would now be easily accessed and the complaints from the populace promptly attended to by LASCOPA officials.
Speaking on Monday, during the hand-over of the new LASCOPA office located within the Secretariat of Ikoyi-Obalende, the General Manager of LASCOPA, Mr Afolabi Solebo pleaded with the council Chairman to assist in sensitising the residents of the area to take advantage of the office now located closer to them.
At the Bariga and Badagry Annex offices, Solebo commended the dispositions of the leadership of the two councils to consumer protection initiatives.
He stressed that the provision of office spaces within a short while for LASCOPA officials showed that the council Chairmen have the interest of residents of the area at heart.
“This is a thing of progress because it is all about showing concern for our people, without the residents of this State, there can’t be Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency.
“It informed our decision to take what we have at the Agency headquarters closer to Lagosians at the grassroots for their benefits.
“I must also commend the Chairmen of the various local governments that we visited for waking up to their responsibilities and for believing that the Agency must be brought closer to the people in their local government areas,” he said.
Solebo emphasised that the advocacy on Consumer Protection during this festive season is very apt.
“This is a festive period and people will be going around to buy various kinds of things, especially consumable goods.
“I want to advise everyone that once you go out there, check very well because as consumers, you should be able to check what you are buying and if you are buying anything you should be able to obtain receipts for what you are buying so that par adventure there is an issue with what you have bought, you can lodge your complaint with us.
“If the product has expired, you can demand a full refund of your money and if they fail to attend to you, you can come to the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency especially now that we are at various locations across the State,” Solebo stated.