e-Commerce Important To Developing Economies -CPC

Director-General of the Consumer Protection Council, Mr. Tunde Irukera has said that due to the complexity associated with digital marketing, e-commerce remains a relevant issue in developing nations.
Speaking at the e-Commerce Consumer Protection Forum organised by the Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Abuja on Wednesday, Irukera promised on behalf of the CPC to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to deliberate on the regulatory policies of government to protect e-consumers and to enlighten them on their rights
Represented by Assistant Director, Consumer Education, Mrs. Mercy Ogwu, Irukera described e-commerce as a business transaction conducted electronically on the internet with many advantages when compared to conventional methods.
Irukera urged participants to focus on e-consumer abuses and lapses in the identified sectors and offer solutions capable of benefitting consumers.
Mr AbdullahI Adamu, the Executive Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), in his remarks pledged the council’s support to consumer benefit and protection.
“The Council is interested in supporting efforts that will make citizens that are e-consumers benefit and contribute to provision of efficient services by banks, telecommunications and electricity operators. “We shall continue to encourage our people to take advantage of online banking concept that has made banking easy.’’
Speaking, Mr Princewill Okorie, National President, APPA highlighted the negative impressions of e-consumer offences to Nigeria’s growth saying an appraisal of the travail of Nigerian e-consumers presently reveals impoverishment of the people instead of improving their well being.
He said regulatory agencies, rather than protect consumers were always willing to encourage increase in price paid by consumers without proper action in ensuring consumer satisfaction.
Okorie pleaded with the federal government and relevant stakeholders to ensure an effective monitoring and enforcement of measures that would protect consumer rights.