Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Consumer Protection Commission. Mr. Lawrence Bassie, on Tuesday 19th December 2023, held fruitful discussions with various Civil Society Organizations dealing with Consumer Protection issues, namely: the Consumer Protection Agency. Consumer Welfare and Consumer Protection Council, during which he stressed the Commission’s zero-tolerance over compromising integrity. Present at the meeting were: Mr. Ibrahim Kabia, Director of the Consumer Protection Agency, and head of a Consortium OF CSOs with similar roles, Haja Kadie Kabia, Admin/Human Resource Officer at the Consumer Protection Agency, Susan Williams, Deputy Director at the Consumer Welfare and Lamin Mannoh, National Coordinator, Consumer Protection Council.
The CEO briefed the members on the role and mandate of the National Consumer Protection Commission, stressing that the mission of the Commission is to promote the welfare of consumers, noting that there have been a lot of unfair dealings and treatment of consumers by business people and service providers, as well as reports of alleged compromise of the principles of consumer protection by impersonators using the names of some of these organisations. He stressed that this should stop, and to achieve this, all hands should be on deck. He expressed the desire to cooperate and collaborate with the CSOs, especially as they share similar roles with the Commission.
He hastened to clarify that the role of the NCPC is sanctioned by the Act of Parliament that established it (Consumer Protection Act 2020), stressing that it is not going to be business as usual under his watch, bad elements should be weeded out. He encouraged them to feel free to come to the Commission, as his doors were open.
After explaining their respective roles and responsibilities, the CSOs expressed a desire to cooperate and collaborate with the Commission, since they have similar roles. They also brought to the light issues of impersonation in parts of the country by unscrupulous people, even carrying ID Cards purported to be from the NCPC, as well as their organizations. Issues of re-bagging of expired rice in warehouses owned by some importers, and rebranding of expired goods in stores of Supermarkets, were all brought to the fore. Issues bordering on the similar role of Trade Inspectors at the Trade Ministry, as well as Trade monitors, were raised, to which the CEO promised to engage the Ministry on the matter to establish defined roles, as well as where collaboration can be developed. All parties expressed the desire to collaborate, and a working meeting was slated to be held in January 2024, where modalities will be put in place in respect of the cooperation, as well as engagement on progress on all the issues raised.
The meeting was climaxed with congratulatory messages for the CEO on his appointment from all CSOs present.
NCPC Communications Unit
