The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) paid a visit to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), on 18th May, 2022 to create awareness of consumers’ rights and responsibilities.
The spokesperson, Mrs. Folashade Ashaye engaged the students and staff on the exposure of plastic bottled drinks to sunlight and the harm it poses to consumers’ health.
She explained that every consumer has a right to safety and should be protected against products, production processes, and services that are hazardous to health or life.
Folashade said that there is the right to be informed to be given facts needed to make an informed choice and to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertisements and labeling. The aim of LASCOPA is to ensure consumers’ education on the right to acquire knowledge and skills needed to make informed, confident choices about products and services.
There is the right to satisfaction of basic needs in which, you have access to basic essential goods and services, adequate food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education and sanitation, she added.
Folashade also added the right to be heard – to have consumer interests represented in the making and execution of government policy, and in the development of products and services.
Further, Mrs. Ashaye addressed the knowledge of consumers’ responsibilities stating that “consumers must be fair and never involve in illegal practices, and make sure purchase legally and receipted.
Also, she added that “consumers must be able to present their needs to the Government and manufacturing agencies.”
Speaking to a member of visiting team, Mr. Gold Musa told Investors King’s reporter that “we are telling the public that if you purchase anything that you know that is not good and you know you have a proof or evidence, you can come to LASCOPA. We treat the case for you free of charge. We invite you with your evidence of what you purchase, you will get value for your money.”
A lecturer of the Institute, Mr. Tolulope Ojemuyiwa commended Lagos State for its efforts in ensuring the safety and protection of the health of its citizen.
“In a developed nation, you see humans are well protected, their rights are protected, that’s what Lagos State is trying to do, that’s why they came up with this initiative just to sensitize the citizen that they have a right to buy good and consume good protect, and when you have issues there’s a place for you to lay complain, and your complain would be good taken care of,” he said.
“They want peace, they want the consumer to be at peace, they want the buyer to be at peace, they want the manufacturer to be at peace, they are trying to maintain a peaceful environment”, he added.
The LASCOPA project was enacted under the leadership of former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode, in 2014 to promote consumer rights, protection against hazardous and sub-standard products through regular public enlightenment.
