On Friday 10th May 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Consumer Protection Commission (NCPC), Mr Lawrence Landi Bassie, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB), Prof. Yormah, at the offices of the SLSB, Kissy. Before the signing ceremony, Prof. Yormah gave a brief history of the Consumer situation before establishing the NCPC. He maintained that in the absence of a well-constituted agency to seek Consumer interest, some Civil Society Organizations took advantage of this vacuum, with some of their members and unscrupulous people heckling the business community, leading to compromises and exacerbating corruption. But with the establishment of the NCPC, under the leadership of the current CEO, he is optimistic about a change in the Consumer space. Thus, the signing of this MOU will enhance cooperation between the two agencies and ensure the safety of consumers. The Standards Bureau, he continued, has the technical know-how and equipment to test the various products in the market and ensure quality products are sold in the market. Prof Yormah warned that even though the expiry dates on some products may be up to date, they may have perished due to the conditions under which they have been stored. So when checking goods, we should have in mind these facts, and the bureau can address such circumstances. He expressed delight and pleasure in signing such a cooperation with the NCPC.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Consumer Protection Commission, Mr Lawrence Bassie, expressed pleasure in signing the MOU with the Standards Bureau, furthering that the fight against substandard Goods is not a one-man or Institution business, but a collaboration with other agencies, a multi-faceted approach. He recalled the collaborative effort between the Bureau in identifying substandard iron rods at Waterloo that led to the closing of three shops. CEO Bassie stressed that the SLSB has the technical know-how and equipment to test all products in the market, which is their mandate, and the NCPC relies on such data to make informed decisions and take the necessary actions. He noted that NCPC is not wielding a sledgehammer on businesses, but is carefully undertaking a balancing act to ensure that both Consumers and businesses are protected, with the former accessing quality products and the latter being free from extortion by unscrupulous people in the name of consumerism. He assured that this partnership would yield the required result of a market free from substandard Goods. He stressed that under his leadership, the NCPC will operate on authentic data provided by the SLSB. Concluding that he is ready to work with all statutory bodies and registered CSOs in the consumer space for a safe market environment, where consumers get value for money. The ceremony was climaxed by the signing of the MOU by the Executive Director of the SLSB and the CEO of the NCPC. The ceremony was graced by staff of both Institutions.
