Akwa Ibom Consumer Protection Agency Bill passes second reading

A bill for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom Consumer Protection Agency, provide for the protection of the interest of Akwa Ibom consumers, settlement of consumer disputes and for connected purposes passed through its second reading today on the floor of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

The bill which is sponsored by the Member representing Etinan State Constituency in the 6th Assembly Hon. (Barr)  Aniefiok Dennis Akpan and co-sponsored by:

Rt. Hon. Mark Esset, Hon. David Lawrence, Hon. Aniekan Bassey, Hon. (Otuekong) Essien Nse, Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, Hon. Udo Gabriel Toby, Hon. Monday Eyo Okon, Hon. Samuel Ufuo, Hon. Archibong Asuquo, Rt. Hon. Victor Udofia, Rt. Hon. Mfon Ekong and Hon. Otobong Akpan has the objectives of the agency to include the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and prices of goods and services as the case may be so as to protect consumers in the state against unfair trade practices.

Speaking at plenary last week before the House went on a break, the Etinan Assemblyman who also doubles as the Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions stated that the bill will among other functions ensure speedy redress of Akwa Ibom Consumers complaints, advice the state government on consumer protection policies, ensure replacement of hazardous products with safe products and seek ways and means to eliminate hazardous products from the market in conjunction with relevant government agencies.

In his words, the Assembly man said “It might interest us to know that marketers will bring into the state 100KVA  generators and cover them with labels that read 250KVA, a bakery will have five (5) different labels for the same product, drugs that cure all known ailments are being patently sold on our streets. This is unacceptable to us in the Akwa  Ibom  House of Assembly. We must protect our people so they will be alive to use our roads, to work at our industries, we will not allow our state to be dumping ground for fake & unwholesome  products. The level of abuse is staggering”.

The bill received wholesome support by the state legislatures who spoke in support of the bill bearing in mind recent incidents of fake and hazardous products in the market.

The Honorable speaker thereafter committed the bill to the Committee on Investment, Commerce & Industry for further Legislative action to report back within two (2) weeks.