In line with the cost-cutting drive of the Federal Government, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has introduced network printing as an alternative power source leveraging solar panels, among other measures, to reduce the cost of governance.
The Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi who made the disclosure during an engagement with media correspondents on Tuesday in Abuja, said the Commission has also reintroduced the Employee Clocking System, aimed at ensuring that government gets value for expenditure on personnel emoluments.
According to him, the Employee Clocking System aims to enhance efficient management of staff attendance records while also enforcing strict compliance with government policy on official working hours.
He described the last even months as eventful for the Commission, stating that the ‘Commission actively worked to prevent anticompetitive practices, protect consumers, and foster a competitive market’ as part of efforts to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Discussing some goals scored during the period under review, the Ag. Executive Vice Chairman said the Commission enforced the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), reviewed mergers, conducted investigations, and engaged in consumer and business education, among others.
He explained that to address public concerns over soaring food prices, the FCCPC implemented measures to curb price gouging, promote fair competition, and protect consumers. ‘We monitored markets, partnered with stakeholders, enforced pricing transparency, and sensitised consumers,’ he said, adding that the Commission also took action against underweight bags of rice, the sale of expired goods, cement price hikes, substandard iron rods, and alleged discriminatory practices in a Chinese supermarket.
These efforts, according to him, underscore the dedication of government to safeguarding Nigerian consumers and fostering a fair marketplace.
While saying that the Commission is currently implementing data analysis techniques to systematically analyse consumer complaints to help in identifying patterns of unfair practices, leading to targeted interventions and improved consumer protection measures, the FCCPC Chief Executive assured that the Commission would continued to advocate for the rights of Nigerian consumers.
Dr. Abdullahi who expressed concern about unwholesome practices in the digital money lending industry, said the Commission will regulate the industry by implementing the Limited Interim Regulatory/Registration Framework and Guidelines for Digital Lending. This, he said will curb the excesses of Digital Money Lenders (DMLs) otherwise referred to as loan sharks.
‘These steps include ensuring that all DMLs register with the FCCPC, operate legally and are identifiable, ensure fair treatment of borrowers, transparent loan terms and conditions with no hidden fees, observe a cap on punitive interest rates to prevent exploitation and engage in responsible lending practices to avoid overburdening borrowers.’
He said in order to uphold the sanctity of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 and successfully implement its provisions, the Commission diligently prosecuted cases involving offenders of the law. ‘On Friday, May 17, 2024, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos delivered a landmark judgment, convicting Dr. Anuoluwapo Funmilayo Adepoju and MedContour Services Limited on all five counts of obstructing an investigation by the FCCPC,’ he said, adding that the Court upheld the FCCPC’s broad investigative powers under the FCCPA, ruling that the FCCPA applies to “all undertakings and all commercial activities” within Nigeria, including health services related to consumer protection.
Dr. Abdullahi explained that the judgment strengthened the FCCPC’s authority to investigate consumer rights violations across all sectors, including healthcare, adding that it serves as warning to businesses that impede or obstruct regulatory investigations.
‘In another development, the Federal High Court struck out a lawsuit filed by the Centre for Social Justice Ltd/Gte against the FCCPC in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1210/2020,’ he said.
The Ag. EVC explained that in collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Commission initiated investigations against international airlines over high airfares, leading to the release of their lowest inventories in the Nigerian market, which had been geographically blocked due to trapped funds.
‘Last week, FCCPC issued a final order and imposed a monetary penalty of $220,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Twenty Million USD) against Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApo LLC over discriminatory practices in Nigeria,’ he added.
The Commission intensified its engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies and stakeholders to sign separate Memorandum of Understanding in compliance with the FCCPA.
Discussing the progress made in the area of Merger Reviews, Dr. Abdullahi said: ‘The FCCPC conducted a series of merger reviews to prevent anticompetitive practices in mergers and acquisitions, helping to preserve consumer choices by preventing large companies from unnecessarily acquiring smaller competitors and restricting options.’
He disclosed that from inception, the Commission received a total of 294 transactions, out of which 22 were approved in 2024, while 8 applications are currently being reviewed.
Dr. Abdullahi explained that in order to properly coordinate the Commission’s diverse stakeholders to ensure inclusivity and citizen participation in its affairs, the Commission introduced sensitisation conferences for traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to enhance their capacity to serve as champion agents for consumer empowerment within their sphere of influence.
‘The maiden edition was held successfully in Bauchi State in June 2024, while many more are expected to be held across the country soon,’ the Acting Executive Vice Chairman added.
