Nigeria opens up on abuses within ICT sector

Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has commenced a pro-consumer initiative aimed at tackling abuses in the Information Technology Sector (ICT) bearing in mind the increased dependence on the sector by the general populace.

The Head of Public Relations of CPC, Mr. Abiodun Olumuyiwa, said in a statement that this initiative is aimed at driving unprecedented and positive changes within the ICT sector in the country.

The Council, against the backdrop of increasing consumer abuses in the sector, came up with the initiative to help consumers on issues such as Automated Teller Machine (ATM) anomalies, poor telecom service delivery, no refund policy for defective ICT devices, abusive sales promotion and loyalty programs, as well as a wide range of abuses from ICT service providers.

The scheme, comprising holistic strategies for the protection of all ICT users and consumers, would begin with the development of a blueprint, the ICT Consumer Protection Enforcement Strategy – for addressing a wide range of consumer issues and enforcing consumer rights under the CPC Laws.

Olumuyiwa stressed that the Strategy would reinforce existing CPC regulations as well as promulgate new ones, all aimed at transforming the respect for consumer issues and compliance with their statutorily guaranteed rights, the true central focus of ICT business and related transactions in Nigeria.

“Part of the new enforcement strategy would include the development of service and product standards, covering technology-related goods and services, whether within the ICT sector itself or in other sectors where ICT operates as service enablers.”

To ensure full implementation of this Initiative, the Council has engaged the services of a foremost ICT Law firm, Technology Advisors, to assist in its renewed efforts to protect, represent and promote consumer rights across the country on any issue affecting the procurement, use and value of all ICT goods and services in Nigeria.

The initiative, according to the CPC, would usher in a new regime of more proactive regulation that would largely curb consumer abuses and restore consumer confidence in the sector.

by Ikechukwu Osodo