In order to maintain the public’s trust in governments, Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa, a former publicity secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, urged for proper protection of consumer rights on Thursday.
“Now is the time for consumer rights advocacy to stop fleecing citizens and make sure utility providers and sellers of goods go by the books,” Ogbankwa told newsmen in Lagos.
He called for adequate measures to end all forms of maltreatment of consumers of goods and services.
“For instance, if your flight, local or international, is cancelled, you are entitled to accommodation and food vouchers once there is clear evidence that you have no place to go.
“If your flight, local or international is cancelled, you are entitled to up to a thousand dollars depending on your losses.
“If you miss your flight and the airline is flying the next day, you have priority over other passengers for the next day.
“All of these are standard ICAO Regulations, but you may require legal fireworks to push these rights,’’ he said.
Ogbankwa suggested that customers stand up for their rights.
He asserts that a consumer cannot have their power cut off by an electricity distribution company unless they have received a 30-day disconnection notice.
“In addition, when there is a dispute between an electricity distribution company and a consumer, the consumer cannot be disconnected until the dispute is resolved.
“Besides, a consumer is within his rights to arrest any official of the electricity distribution company who attempts or does an illegal disconnection of electricity,” he said.
Ogbankwa urged customers to be aware of their rights when buying goods and services and to use the legal system to safeguard their rights.
