Peter Dada
The Ondo State Government on Tuesday said it had begun to wage war against the business of unregistered, counterfeit, adulterated and substandard products.
The government warned individuals involved in the production, distribution and sale of such products to desist from it or face prosecution.
The Chairman of the Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency, Mr Oluyemi Fasipe, gave the warning during a press conference in Akure, the state capital.
According to the chairman, the newly enacted law of the state had empowered the agency to take stronger enforcement actions against violators.
Fasipe explained that the law provided the agency with the legal backing to sanction offenders and protect consumers from harmful products and deceptive business practices.
He said, “The law gives us the full power to sanction, to fine and to prosecute any persons caught in the sale of illegal products in Ondo State.
“The agency would intensify monitoring and enforcement activities across the state, targeting producers and sellers of fake drinks, adulterated consumables, expired goods, counterfeit products and other items capable of endangering public health.”
He also warned filling station operators against manipulating dispensing equipment and cautioned producers of sachet and bottled water to comply with prescribed safety and quality standards.
Fasipe added that service providers, including artisans, electricity distribution companies and telecommunications firms, would also be held accountable for unfair, deceptive or exploitative practices affecting consumers.
“The agency’s actions would be directed at illegal operators and not legitimate businesses. We are coming after the illegitimate businesses.
“Any business venture found culpable will have its premises sealed, while offending products would be removed from circulation and offenders prosecuted where criminal liability is established,” he declared.
On the recent deaths reported in Odigbo and Irele local government areas of the state following the consumption of unverified herbal products, Fasipe said the development underscored the need for stronger regulatory oversight.
“I feel it’s a good thing that this is happening now because that’s one of the reasons why this agency needs to start working better.
“If we had been able to control that before, we wouldn’t have those casualties that we have from the poisonous drink, and I know for a fact that we are going to do a lot of work to stop illegal activities of people,” he said.
He urged business operators in the state to review their operations and ensure compliance with relevant laws and standards, warning that the era of exploiting consumers with impunity was over.
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