The discovery of a deceiving syndicate making false claims about the weight of rice at Garki Modern Market Abuja has been announced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC.
In a statement on Thursday, Adamu Abdullahi, the acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, revealed the outcome of an operation carried out by the Commission to safeguard consumers.
It was revealed that certain bags of rice labeled as 25kg and 50kg did not actually weigh as claimed by the sellers.
Describing the behavior of these rice retailers and sellers as exploitative and misleading, the Commission took swift action to address the issue.
“The recent operation focused on verifying the accuracy of weight claims on 25kg and 50kg rice bags. Our investigation exposed discrepancies between the stated weights and the actual contents, constituting a violation of the FCCPA and exploiting consumers through deceptive practices.
As a result, summons have been issued to those responsible, requiring them to appear before the Commission and provide a written commitment to cease such deceptive activities. To ensure compliance, a Mutual Supervisory Understanding (MSU) will also be established for monitoring purposes.
“Like with every shopping season, FCCPC urges consumers to demand and ensure they receive full value for their money, especially as we approach the festive period. It is advised to verify the weight of rice packages to ensure they match the claims on the packaging, and any discrepancies should be reported through the complaint section on our website.
“Under Section 125 of the FCCPA, businesses are prohibited from making false or deceitful representations about significant facts to consumers. Section 138 further imposes liability on manufacturers, importers, distributors, and suppliers who breach legal obligations, including product claims.
“The Commission remains dedicated to protecting consumer rights and will persistently pursue fairness in the marketplace,” the statement emphasized.
It is worth noting that Nigeria has been facing a continuous surge in inflation. By February, food inflation had risen to 37.92 percent.
This issue arises as 50kg and 25kg bags of rice are being sold for approximately N70,000 and N35,000, respectively, in some Nigerian markets.