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Power, GSM services top complaints to consumer council

By BusinessNews Staff on March 15, 2014

Nigerians have enjoined the Consumer Protection Council to save them from the exploitation of telecommunication companies and electricity firms.

Checks by iPUNCH on the official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages of the council on Thursday showed that poor services being rendered by electricity and telecoms firms topped the list of complaints to the agency.

Other complaints involved poor banking services, especially issues surrounding incomplete ATM transactions as well as the proliferation of substandard products in the market.

However, the majority of those who lodged complaints via the social media accounts of the CPC said they wished the agency could secure their rights to get and use quality telecommunication services, as well as enjoy value for the money they pay for electricity supply.

One of the complainants, Joseph Essien, explained on the CPC Facebook page that the best the council could do was to ensure that the various electricity distribution companies stop infringing on the rights of their customers.

“The best the CPC could do for us is if these electricity distribution companies will start respecting consumer rights,” Essien said.

Terfa Johnson, while expressing anger with the efforts of the CPC in handling consumer rights violations tweeted, “I’m sure the CPC has eyes to see the shabby way businesses treat Nigerians, especially foreign-owned ones.

“Or does CPC members of staff live in another country? You can start by going to the nearest bank now, telephone service provider, or any electricity distribution company’s office to see what we experience.”

Many of them, in separate messages to the Director General of the CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, complained that they had yet to feel the impact of the agency in championing the cause of consumers.

One Michael Ekwe, based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in a post on the CPC Facebook page wrote that the activities of the council in protecting consumers were at a low ebb, noting that many Nigerians are not aware of its existence.

“I have serious complaints to make against my service provider. My GSM service provider charges me ridiculously these days! I think you guys should work harder. It’s as if people didn’t know they should bring their complaints to you,” Ekwe lamented.

Also, one Hexane Obi said it was worrisome that consumer rights in Nigeria were being abused with impunity, despite the fact that it was established to tackle such violations.

“The rights of Nigerians are trampled upon each day, yet we have a CPC being funded by tax payers’ money,” Obi stated on Twitter.

However, the CPC has appealed to Nigerians not to lose confidence in its ability to uphold their rights. It wrote on Twitter that although it was facing some “odds,” it was working hard to “crack” the various consumer abuses in the country.

It added that its social media channels would now be available to receive complaints from Nigerians, while it would do everything possible to promptly resolve any issues raised.

The NCC stated that consumers should not refrain from “running” to it when their rights are not being respected; noting that they should not just grumble but lodge complaints via social media, its dedicated e-mail address or pay a visit to any of its offices nationwide.

It added, “The Consumer Protection Council is here to help. Be rest assured that we are working tirelessly to fight for the rights of the Nigerian consumer.

“We fight for the interests of consumers every day and are determined towards pursuing a consumer-friendly Nigeria. For sure, your right as a consumer is extremely important. The consumer is king.

“Bring to us all your queries. We will speak for you, defend and protect your rights if you are dissatisfied with any products or services.”

The CPC also enumerated some of the basic rights of consumers on its Twitter page, which it said they must always insist on.

“As a consumer, you have the right to full information about the product you want to purchase. Besides, you also have the right to choose from a variety of quality products and services at competitive prices,” it added.

However, it urged consumers to be fair in all their engagements and refrain from dishonest practices. It also asked producers of goods and services to adopt patterns of production that protect consumers and safeguard human rights and community wellbeing.

[Punch]

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