When His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma came into office as the executive governor of Imo State on January 14th, 2020. One of the bold steps he took to demonstrate competency and administrative ingenuity, was to identify the need to rehabilitate and revive some ailing government agencies which were abandoned or runned down by previous administrations. These agencies includes, imo CPC, imo statesman newspaper, Adapalm Nig. Ltd etc.
Again, I remembered vividly the day, His Excellency, Dist. Senator Hope Uzodimma took the oath of office, he had the Holy Bible on his left hand and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on his right hand. Firmly, he promised to make the security and welfare of Imo citizens, the primary occupation of his government.
In fulfilment of that onerous and historic promises, the task-oriented Governor, wasted no time to revive one of the imo most critical agencies, that is, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) imo state which was abandoned by previous administrations in the state.
Suffice to state that the administration of Gov. Hope Uzodimma in the last one year has invested much in repositioning this all important agency through the appointment of a vibrant and hardworking woman, Hon. Mrs Obioma Okafor, as the DG who came with lots of innovations and strategies. Despite all odds she hits the ground running, moved for the immediate relocation of CPC office to a more comfortable environment, which Gov. Hope Uzodimma graciously approved, to ensure effective Consumer Protection. This feat is an eloquent testimony and a clear proof that Gov. Hope was determined to fulfill his promises of Protecting the citizens.
It is on record that before Mrs Obioma Okafor came on board as the DG, Imo State CPC, the Council office was at block 5, Old Orlu road secretariat, behind Imo State isolation centre, Owerri. A dilapidated and abandoned building with leaking roof, no windows, no toilet, the environment was not decent to conduct any meaningful government business. This administration met CPC that was so badly mismanaged with upto 64 non-performing staff, though, competent and experienced but lack motivational impetus from both the state and federal government.
Moving forward, Under the rehabilitation programme of the 3R initiative, the state government through the office of the DG has invested a significant part of its interest to train and retrain CPC staff to be more proactive in carrying out their statutory responsibilities of protecting the rights of consumers in the state.
It is the believe of the present administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma that "a healthy state is a wealthy state" and that's why he considered it a priority to revive the agency responsible for protecting the stomach infrastructure of the state. This is one of the silent achievements of Gov. Hope Uzodimma within three months of his administration.
The Council, having been repositioned by Senator Hope Uzodimma to combat unwholesome products in imo State, has actually intensified routine factory inspection. Consequently, many unpatriotic business men and women who are involved in the manufacturing, importation and distribution of fake and substandard products have fled the state because of continuous market visitation and surveillance by CPC officers to check fake, expired and adulterated products.
One of the focus and priority areas of CPC under Mrs Okafor is to reduce the rate of substandard products prevalent in the state to the barest minimum through effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
On Wednesday, 20th May, 2020 and on Friday,18th June, 2021 respectively, the council publicly destroyed fake, expired and adulterated products worth millions of Naira, at Avu junction dumping-site, along Owerri Portharcourt Road, which was confiscated by CPC enforcement team. The council has on a several occasions raided orlu main market, shutdown warehouses where fake brands of popular expensive hot drinks were stored and also sanctioned many defaulters of the law. The council has equally sealed a quack factory at mbaitoli LGA where fake juice and substandard table waters are produced. Take a visit to CPC office here in Owerri, you will discover all kinds of expensive drinks like Clicquot, Glenfiddich, Henessy vsop, Andre Rose, Blue Label, Black label, Jackdaneils, MacDowell, 501, non-alcoholic beverages etc. that are either fake, expired or adulterated which were seized by CPC enforcement team, waiting to be destroyed, then you will truly appreciate Gov. Hope Uzodimma for his efforts in reviving CPC.
Again, CPC in collaboration with the Nigeria Electric Regulatory Commission (NERC) has resolved amicably several cases ranging from over-billing to indiscriminate disconnection of customers by EDDC.
Right now, Imo CPC is employing many avenues to enlighten the public of the various health risk associated with fake and adulterated products. Some efforts includes, sensitization and awareness programmes, Radio/TV jingles that plays in almost all the radio stations and even NTA Owerri, consultative fora with stakeholders, inter-agency collaboration, the latest one is between CPC and IMSUBEB, captioned "shared prosperity catch them young initiative" that is coming up soon, community awareness campaign. Awareness visit to communities or churches holding women August meetings etc. More so, it was the timely intervention of Imo CPC that forced ATWAP to reduce the price of satchet water in Imo State.
The council equally has plans to work closely with the religious bodies, traditional rulers, community based organization, the media and other concerned citizens as critical partners in fighting the menance of substandard products in the state. Some months ago CPC launched indigenous measurement cups for selling of grains in imo State to reduce the high rate of Market malpractices amongst the grain dealers who shortchanged the unsuspecting Consumers. This initiative, however, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and has been approved by department of weight and measures under the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment. Imo CPC, under Mrs Obioma Okafor also has plans to establish "CONSUMER AWARENESS CLUBS" in all the secondary schools in the state. Also to have desk officers in the 27 local government areas of imo state. Plans are underway to commence third phase of market- mop up and seizure of unregistered, fake and expired products to ensure that products in our marketplaces are fit for human consumption.
The shared prosperity administration of HE, Gov. Hope Odidika Uzodimma has truly shown determination and commitment towards improving the welfare and security of imo citizens, therefore we should support the 3R government with all sincerity.
*Nwosu Nicholas Tochi*
*SA on media to the DG* *CPC imo State*
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Publisher: Don Martyn L.O Nwosu
Ikeduru APC Media Hub
08032950897
Ikeduruapcmediahub@gmail.com
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