FCCPC to apply stricter regulations for consumer protection in power, digital lending sectors, others

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has promised to apply stricter regulations and control on players in the power sector, manufacturing sector, and digital space, in the interest of the consumers in 2023.

This was made known by the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera while speaking on Arise Exchange, a special business report section of Arise News.

Irukera revealed that FCCPC had towards the end of 2022, embarked on further investigation and scrutiny of the power sector, fast-moving consumer goods, and the activities of digital lenders. An action that unraveled major irregularities that have laid the foundation for the areas the organisation would focus on in 2023.

The FCCPC boss noted that the agency has started unbundling more of its regulatory tools to create room for penalties in the months ahead.

He said, “Towards the end of last year, FCCPC opened an investigation into the activities of some of the biggest importers of power generators in the country and we made headway in sanitizing the area.

“In particular, the commission has so far tackled cases of wholesome practices across consumer goods, digital economy and some other sectors.”

Looking at the agency’s activities last year and also moving forward on what the plans are to strengthen its operations this new year, Irukera said over the period of several months, the commission was gathering intelligence and the intelligence had led FCCPC to the conclusion that there were some irregularities in the activities of the alternative power generating companies and players in the fast-moving consumer goods sector.

He said, “Through investigation and intelligence gathering, FCCPC concluded that there were some anti-competitive practices in some sensitive industries such as power; especially alternative power generating sector. We found out that there are some levels of coordination among big players who play in the 20 to about 200 KVA generators with shady deals.

“There were questions about how they were procuring the equipment and what they were importing. There were issues about duty-free weaver or using it to also Import spare parts which are prohibited and whether they were procuring for themselves, essentially engaging illegal transfer pricing,”

Irukera added, “Quite a number of investigations were carried out, especially in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). One of the first things we did was that early in the year, we started engaging the manufacturers about what we consider misleading.

“For instance, we discovered that they are reducing volume and content without reducing packaging. Of course, we also carried out the major investigation into the tobacco for penalties.”

Irukera disclosed that the last quarter of the year also saw the commission beaming its searchlight into the activities of the digital lenders, adding that even though the exercise is still ongoing, a framework has been put in place.

He said, “On the operators of the various digital lending platforms, our stand is that there must be a process and a credible model of operation to enhance sanity.”