Buhari Signs Federal Competition, Consumer Protection Bill

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

The presidency said Wednesday that President Muhammadu Buhari had assented to Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, 2019, thus transforming it to Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

This Act, according to Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, seeks to establish the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as well as the Consumer Protection Tribunal to try violations of the Act.

Enang explained that the law was conceived to promote economic efficiency, maintain competitive market in the Nigerian economy, protect the Nigerian economy, protect the interest and welfare of consumers by providing consumers with wide variety of quality products at competitive prices.

The presidential aide who also said the Act prohibited restrictive or unfair business practices in the Nigerian economy, added that the Act repealed the Consumer Protection Council Act and sections 118 – 128 of the Investment and Securities Act.

Enang listed other functions of the Commission to include, among others: (a) initiate broad based policies and review economic activities in Nigeria to identify anti-competitive, anti-consumer protection and restrictive practices which may adversely affect the economic interest of consumers and make rules and regulations under this Act and any other enactment with regards to competitions and protection of consumers.

Furthermore, he said the commission would advise the federal government on national policies and matters pertaining to all goods and services and on the determination of national norms and standards relating to competition and consumer protection; report annually on market practices and the implications for consumer choice and competition in the consumer market.

Enang also said the commission would eliminate anti-competitive agreements, misleading, unfair, deceptive or unconscionable marketing, trading and business practices; resolve disputes or complaints, issue directives and apply sanctions where necessary; create public awareness through seminars, workshops, studies and make available information with regard to the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions to the public.

The statement added that the commission would regulate and seek ways and means of removing or eliminating from the market, hazardous goods and services, including emission, untested, controversial, emerging or new technologies, products or devices whatsoever, and cause offenders to replace such goods or services with safer and more appropriate alternatives.

Other functions of the commission listed by Enang include: publishing, from time to time, list of goods and services whose consumption and sale have been banned, withdrawn, restricted or are not approved by the Federal Government or foreign governments and encourage trade, industry and professional associations to develop and enforce in their various fields quality standards designed to safeguard the interest of consumers.

“This Act has accordingly, upon Assent been remitted to the National Assembly/Appropriate Authorities as law of the Federation,” he added.