By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Consumer rights Protection groups have described the Consumer Protection bill passed by parliament at the end of 2021 as a decisive move by the government of President Bio to protect consumers against poor quality goods and services in Sierra Leone.
According to the new law, the National Consumer Protection Commission would, among other things ‘monitor the operation of consumer markets in Sierra Leone and consider how they may be improved for the long term interests… conduct research on consumer protection policies, enactments…disseminate information to enable consumers to acquire knowledge of consumer rights and obligations and the skills needed to make informed choices about good and services. The commission would also ‘investigate allegations of non-compliance with the new law and ‘take action to ensure that appropriate remedies are imposed’.
Membership of the commission shall include two representatives of registered associations concerned with consumer protection, the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, and four other people with experience in consumer protection, industry, commerce, economics, law, or public administration.
Speaking to Politico, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Consumer Protection Council, Mamoud Sheik Kabba said his Organization which he said is the first Consumer Protection Institution in Sierra Leone, was established in 1986 in collaboration with other organizations such as the Consumer Protection Agency and the Consumer Welfare Association formed the Consumer Protection Consortium that advocated for the passing into law the National Consumer Protection Commission of Sierra Leone.
Kabba noted that the Commission is something Consumer activists have been advocating for over 35 years in Sierra Leone. He said “it is a blessing and a major achievement to have this Act finally passed last year and to have the Commission established this year’’. He added that consumers should be grateful about that, noting that it will bring about a level playing field and will also establish guiding principles to take firm measures for defaulters especially people that are bringing expired commodities and that are providing substandard services.
Speaking on the powers of the Commission, the Executive Director said that the powers of the Commission are wide and vast. He said the Commission makes provision to seek redress when one feels not properly treated. He added that the Commission will levy heavy fines on individuals that would be found wanting, noting that, “especially if you are found wanting for bringing and selling expired goods and products’’.
He pinpointed one key aspect of the commission, which he said prior to the establishment of the Commission, an individual would buy something from a shop, take it home and it gets spoilt in your hand and you have nothing to do, but after the establishment of the Act, it makes clear Provision with clear cut timeline and duration for services and products that are purchased.
“If I buy a product in your hand and it gets spoilt in two days’ time, I can return it where I purchased it’’, he explained. He said prior to now, it was a standoff between the consumer and the business people, adding that they now have clear-cut guidelines and principles to seek redress whenever someone faces an issue like this.
Kabba emphasized that the establishment of the Commission will increase the life expectancy rate of Sierra Leoneans, saying that it will lead to a decrease in mortality and mobility in Sierra Leone. He added that it will also reduce the prevalence of diseases that are born from foodstuff.
He noted that “now when you purchase goods and services, you have the confidence instill in you that if the products or the services are not up-to-date, you can return it and you can have your money back.’’ He cited that business people that are used to engage in scrupulous activities would desist from that because they now know that if they are found wanting, they would be fined heavily, ranging from 25 million Leones to 100 million Leones, adding that, through this, they will desist from smuggling and importing goods into the country that fall short of standards.
‘’I believe society will grow and Sierra Leone will benefit from this commission,’’ he said.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (14/01/22)
