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FCCPC urges retailers to promote fair business practices, price transparency
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has urged organisations dedicated to consumer welfare and business-to-customer relationships to promote fair business practices.
Its Executive Secretary, Dr Adamu Abdullahi, made the appeal during an engagement between the FCCPC and the National Association of Supermarket Operators of Nigeria/Retail Council of Nigeria on Thursday in Lagos.
Abdullahi noted that the commission had identified concerns in the retail sector, especially regarding the inconsistent display of prices, which had led to discrepancies between shelf prices and the final amount charged at the till.
To address this, the executive vice chairman urged supermarkets to maintain price transparency and consistency, recognising that trust and market integrity hinge on this critical aspect.
He explained that while the FCCPC does not regulate prices, it has a mandate to promote fair competition and discourage price gouging and unfair pricing practices.
Abdullahi said, “We don’t control prices. But we ensure that there is a level playing field so that the market is open and people can come in, display their wares, and sell at their own prices.
“The price dictates whether you sell your products or not, as far as we’re concerned.
“We feel that it’s only fair that if the government is trying its very best to bring down the Naira exchange value, then those efforts should also be rewarded by retailers by bringing down the cost of items.”
By upholding consumer rights and fostering a competitive marketplace, the FCCPC boss added that the commission aimed to create a conducive environment for both businesses and consumers to thrive.
According to him, the commission is dedicated to enforcing compliance with the law, particularly the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Act, to eradicate deceptive and misleading marketing practices that undermine competition.
“That’s why we’re here today. The concerns we have in the retail business, especially the formal sector, is this issue of price display on products.
“This has been a major concern for us because it is what has already led to the ceding of a major supermarket in Abuja.
“This is because the price displayed at the counter is different from the one you pay at the till. And that’s misleading and deceptive as far as the regulations are concerned.”
Abdullahi hinted that the FCCPC had agreed to form a small technical committee that would look at a Memorandum of Understanding, its draft, and how to work together henceforth.
“We are going to have a lot of capacity building amongst ourselves so that we understand each other, we understand them from the side of businesses.
“They understand us from the side of regulators. That way, we would have a lot of mileage, ” he added.
Dr Haresh Keswani, Chairman of the National Association of Supermarket Operators of Nigeria/Retail Council of Nigeria, commended the FCCPC boss for his time and open-mindedness in understanding the importance of retail in Nigeria.
Keswani, also the Managing Director of Atee Industies, known as SPAR, said his members were law-abiding companies and they continued to be focused on the consumer, just like the FCCPC.
“As you know, the current retail is the second generation. The first generation died many years ago in the brands of Kingsway, UTC, and all that.
“And the second-generation retails, which are several brands, have been built over many years and are also currently struggling to stay in business. And you all know the reason why they are struggling. Because being compliant in Nigeria is expensive.
“To pay salaries on time, to make sure you pay your taxes, you pay your power energy bills, and you follow the rules is an expensive proposition,” he said.
To this end, he noted that the essence of the engagement with the FCCPC was to work on the value chain.
Keswani added, “In this value chain, all four pillars are stakeholders. And we all equally have to do our own bit. I cannot be a midfielder, a defender, a striker, and a goalkeeper.
“We all have a role to play. So this is team play. This is teamwork.
“And we are clearly focused on wanting the retail business to grow. And we want the consumer to get the best value. But equally, not without everyone stepping onto the ground and playing the game.”
The Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission Hussani Ishaq Magaji, SAN, has approved the distribution of palliatives (foodstuff) to the entire Staff of the Commission nationwide.
This commendable act took place yesterday at the Commission’s Headquarters.
Presenting the items to Staff, the Director Human Resources Mrs. Olayemi Oyeniyi who represented the Registrar-General revealed that the RG’s magnanimity was in line with his promise to prioritise staff welfare as captured in his 4-Point Agenda as well as his own way of felicitating staff on the recently observed Eid-el Adha celebrations.
Staff from various Departments and Units who were elated by the gesture expressed their gratitude to the RG and wished him the very best as he continues to pilot the Commission to greater heights.
…We won’t disappoint on judicial procedures – CJN assures Tinubu
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, led the groundbreaking for the new Court of Appeal complex in Dakibiyu, Abuja, marking a milestone in Nigeria’s judicial infrastructure development.
The state-of-the-art five-storey building will house ten courtrooms and offices, greatly expanding the Court’s capacity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Ariwoola expressed profound gratitude to Minister Nyesom Wike and the Federal Capital Development Authority for their visionary leadership and support.
“We appreciate the government’s commitment to strengthening the judicial system, ensuring access to justice, and promoting the rule of law in Nigeria,” he said.
FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made judicial infrastructure a top priority.
“When I presented the memo, the President’s immediate response was ‘Approved!’ That speaks volumes about his commitment to the judiciary,” Wike said.
The Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, expressed concern that the judiciary has become inaccessible to all but the wealthy, while the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, commended Wike for fulfilling his promise and noted that the edifice will facilitate swifter justice in Nigeria.
NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, thanked Tinubu and Wike for initiating the long-awaited complex, 48 years after FCT’s creation, despite 16 past ministers neglecting the judiciary’s needs.
“Justice is essential to human existence, and we urge Court Justices to remain focused and eagle-like in administering justice to citizens,” Maikyau said.
“The new facilities will greatly enhance the Court’s functionality, and the judiciary is committed to utilising them effectively to serve the nation. The project is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year, and FCDA has pledged to maintain world-class engineering standards.
“This 37-billion-naira project has already been allocated 30 billion naira in the budget. I’m committed to delivering it within the scheduled time frame, not in two years as usual. We’ll get it done as planned, thanks to Mr. President’s vision and support,” Wike pledged.
Honourable Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, expressed gratitude to Barrister Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT, and FCDA management for their support and vision. She also thanked guests, partners, and stakeholders for their contributions, acknowledging the organising team’s hard work.
She concluded by urging everyone to remain committed to justice, fairness, and the rule of law as they look forward to the completion of the Appeal Court complex in Abuja.
Executive Secretary of FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, in his address of welcome and project overview said the project is awarded to Messrs Visible Construction Nigeria Limited and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year.
He emphasised the project’s importance in fulfilling the administration’s commitment to providing a conducive working environment for judicial officers, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The complex will feature ten courtrooms, suites for justices, administrative offices, file rooms, and conveniences, ensuring a comprehensive and efficient judicial system. FCDA has pledged to maintain world-class engineering standards, urging the contractor and supervision team to deliver high-quality work and meet the expected timeline.
By Esther Agbo
Retirees from the now-defunct Nigeria Airways have formally requested President Bola Tinubu to reinstate them into the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS), aligning their pension benefits with those of other sectors.
In a letter endorsed by Stephen Onuh and Ahmed Sulugambari, the Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively, and addressed to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the retirees outlined their appeal.
The letter argued that re-enrollment in the DBS would ensure they receive pensions comparable to other retired civil servants.
Operating under the banner of the Airways Retired Workers of Nigeria, the retirees highlighted that until the airline’s dissolution in 2004 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, they were participants in the scheme. They contended that their removal from the DBS post-liquidation was contentious.
The petition emphasised that, contrary to expectations, the pensioners were not fully compensated and should receive payments for life. The group includes those who retired before and those affected by the 2004 liquidation.
“The N45 billion paid to our members were part-payment of our accumulated pension arrears for over 10 years. We were on the monthly pension payroll before the liquidation in September 2004.
”In pursuance to make sure that the pensioners are paid monthly pension, relevant government authorities have made interventions, directing that the pensioners be pay-rolled into the monthly pension scheme of the Federal Government,” the petition read.
It further mentioned that governmental bodies have previously intervened to ensure monthly pension payments for these retirees.
The Senate conducted a public hearing on pension matters in 2012, subsequently resolving that the retirees should be immediately added to the Federal Government’s monthly pension scheme. Additionally, in 2013, the House of Representatives urged the government to integrate these retirees into the monthly pension payroll.
However, the group claims this directive has been ignored by the authorities.
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