Consumer protection: LASCOPA has successfully resolved 8,098 complaints – Sanwo-Olu
By Amechi Obiakpu
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has said that the state’s commitment to the welfare and security of the citizens has yielded many positive results. One of which, is the protection against exploitation and ensuring that citizens receive value for their money spent to procure goods and services.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who made the statement through an address he delivered at the second edition of the Consumers Value award (CVA), last Thursday, at the Radison Blu Hotel, Ikeja, said it achieved this through the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA).
According to the governor, since its establishment, “LASCOPA’s achievements recorded over the years, include the successful resolution of 8,098 out of 8,337 complaints received and the recovery of over 264 million naira to the credit of consumers,” this Sanwo-Olu said was a good measure of the confidence reposed by the people in the agency, even as he said the state will continue to strengthen the capacity of LASCOPA to do more especially in ensuring that its advocacy campaign is sustained for more effectiveness and wider reach.
Continuing, the governor who was honoured with a special recognition award as the Consumer Rights Advocate Governor of the Year 2023, pointed that, the honour bestowed upon him was not just a recognition but also a celebration of the collective achievements of LASCOPA.
“As we all know, the overriding responsibility of government as enshrined in the constitution is to ensure the welfare and security of the citizens. Promoting citizen’s welfare connotes among other things, protecting them against exploitation and ensuring that they receive value for their money spent to procure goods and services.
“Being the commercial and industrial nerve centre of the nation, the Lagos state government recognized the need to put in place an agency that would be charged with the responsibility of ensuring that people are not shortchanged or exploited and receive the satisfaction expected from the goods and services purchased.
“This recognition, which align with global best practice, informed the establishment of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), the first of such in Nigeria during the tenure of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos state.
“it is worthy of mention that over the years, we have continued to witness the successful implementation of numerous laudable advocacy programs by the Agency that have empowered countless individuals across Lagos state and have brought redress to numerous complaints. From being careful about the personal decisions, they make to procure products and services, from taking responsibility to ensure that they don’t participate or allow illegal practices to be carried out within their sphere of influence to speaking out when any such act that infringe on the rights of individuals are observed,” he said.
He added that, “these accomplishmente would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our tireless team and our shared commitment to protecting consumer rights which has led to real, tangible change in the lives of our fellow citizens”.
Consumers Value Award is an initiative of BrandXChange, aimed at protecting the interest of consumers through advocacy and raising awareness on consumers right. Brands that provide the best value for consumers hard-earned money are validated with badge of honour.
This year’s edition which is the second is with the theme: “Consumer Satisfaction Index”.
Over 50 brands emerged victorious as the best value for money brands through votes casts by consumers.
Akonte Ekine, Chief Executive, BrandXChange said, the badge of honour that the brands received is not just a symbol; it’s a reflection of their relentless commitment to consumer-centricity. It’s a salute to the tireless efforts they have put into understanding and fulfilling the needs of the modern Nigerian consumer.
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