The Director General of Imo State Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Hon. Mrs Obioma Okafor on Tuesday 20th April, meets with the new zonal Controller, DPR, Mr. Okoro O. A and the entire management staff of Department Of Petroleum Resources Imo State on the need to strengthen collaboration between the two agencies.
Speaking during the meeting, Mrs Obioma Okafor, who led the top management team of Imo CPC said, the robust consumer's rights protection in the state requires strong collaboration between sector regulators. She noted that the meeting was to create a stronger bond between CPC and DPR to protect consumer's rights against abuses by petroleum marketers.
"There are so much abuse of consumer's rights by petroleum marketers. Some marketers hoard fuel, creat artificial scarcity, hike pump price, adjust metres, while some sell adulterated products, amongst other things.
"It is imperative for CPC to collaborate with DPR to regulate the entire market from a consumer's rights protection standpoint".
Mrs Okafor also emphasized that, partnering with DPR will certainly provide an important platform for Protecting consumer's interests in the oil and gas sector. She therefore called on the management staff of DPR in the state to come up with tangible plans to create more awareness on the activities of DPR, pointing out that, alot of people do not know that DPR has the statutory mandates to ensure that they get value for their money.
Mrs Okafor, assured that her office will always contact them whenever a consumer complains about being cheated or shortchanged by any independent petroleum marketer.
Moving forward, the DG took time to inform the new zonal controller and his team that the leadership of His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma is fully committed to protecting the rights of consumers in imo State. She charged the department to assist CPC in the fight against fake and adulterated products particularly in the oil and gas sector.
Again, on the need to enlighten the citizens on their rights as consumers, the DG hinted that the council has carried out alot of sensitization and awareness campaign. Recently, the council has also came up with "catch them young initiative" to establish consumer awareness club in 40 selected secondary schools in imo State. This will enable the children at secondry school level to have that consciousness to always check the NAFDAC registration number, Manufacturing and expiration dates of any product before they buy or even Consume.
Responding to the DG, Mr. Okoro O. A, the new zonal operations controller, Department of Petroleum Resources Owerri, took time to explain the modus of operation of DPR as regards to their statutory mandate. According to him, DPR has the responsibility to issue approvals and licences to Independent marketers, Depots and Retail Outlet, ensure accurate measurement of products at the pump, Determine the quality of imported petroleum products to ensure they meet established standards, investigate complaints about adulterated products and also fine defaulters. This has necessitated routine checks to various retail outlets. "DPR has continued to make proactive response to people's complaints, tackling issues peculiar to consumer's rights abuse",he said.
Speaking further, the controller assured that DPR will continue to explore ways to partner with CPC to improve consumer protection in both the upstream and downstream oil and gas sector.
NWOSU NICK TOCHI
SA on Media to the DG CPC Imo State.
#3R.
Publisher: Don Martyn L.O Nwosu
Ikeduru APC Media Hub
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