From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Industry Trade and investment has launched a nationwide inspection and monitoring exercise to combat unfair business practices, particularly in pricing, weights, and measurements.
The operation, which began in Abuja, aimed at ensuring compliance with established standards and regulations.
During the exercise, the task force sealed a faulty scale at Shoprite’s pastry section along Lugbe road, citing non-compliance, Director, Press and Public Relations, Adebayo Thomas said in a statement on Friday.
The team, led by Mohammed Nasiru Abbas, Director of Reforms Coordination and SERVICOM, inspected various businesses, including NNPC and Sahad Stores, with a 95% compliance rate recorded.
Permanent Secretary Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, emphasized that the exercise was part of the President’s renewed hope agenda to ensure economic stability, market confidence, and consumer protection.
“This is the beginning of a nationwide activity. The activity is a part of the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration in ensuring economic stability in the area of market confidence, and consumer protection, especially fair transactions, to ensure consumers receive the correct quantity and quality of goods they pay for, therefore preventing fraud and exploitation.
“We carry out monitoring of instruments to ensure a fair and transparent market, and to ascertain how businesses comply with national laws and regulations.
“Those that do not comply with the provisions of the Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016 or the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 are prevented from being placed on the market or put into use.
“Enforcing accurate pricing, weights, and measurements of goods and services brings several benefits to both citizens and the country”, statement read in part.
The ministry warned that non-compliance would result in penalties, including fines, seizure of goods, business closure, legal action, and reputation damage.
The inspection team consists of various government agencies under Inter-Agency Cooperation with the Department of Weights and Measures.
The exercise is expected to be carried out in all 36 states, with disciplinary actions taken against infractions.
