Abuja – The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Friday in Abuja said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) were culpable in violating consumer rights in the country.
The President of the association, Mr Augustine Alegeh, made the indictment at a news briefing to mark the end of the 55th Annual Conference of the NBA.
“NERC’s policy on maintenance fees charged on meters amount to oppressive and multiple taxation and should be discontinued forthwith.’’
NBA president said the association had resolved to enlighten the general public on consumer rights and insist on enforcement of same.
He said that this was why NBA considers it imperative to strengthen all relevant legislations to enforce consumer rights in the country and protect them from abuse and exploitation.
Alegeh said the conference also noted the need for improved funding for the National Human Rights Commission and the Legal Aid Council to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
He said it had become necessary to evolve viable legislation coupled with best practices for the protection of Nigerian consumers.
Alegeh said the NBA would take a leading role in pursuing the legislation.
“ In this regard, the NBA has set as its own agenda, the imperative of passing a bill regulating consumer protection rights in Nigeria,’’ Alegeh said.
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On the state of the Nigerian prisons, he said the conference agreed that the Nigerian Prisons should be transferred from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the Ministry of Justice.
“ It was observed that the state of the Nigerian prisons show the premium the country places on its citizens and their human rights.
“In this regard, Nigeria needs urgent penal reforms.
“We have prisons with the capacity of 1,000 with over 5,000 inmates. This is a stumbling block in the Nigeria prisons reforms, “ he said. (NAN)