By Vivian Emoni

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with government and other relevant stakeholders to refine policies that support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Mr Agabaidu Jideani, Director-General of the ACCI, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Jideani said that the collaboration would enhance the SMEs by providing financial support through loans or grants, adding that such efforts can help them overcome financial challenges.

He said that the partnership would expand businesses, thereby helping in refining policies that could support economic growth.

“Abuja remains a vibrant hub and the ACCI is committed to partnering with the government to refine policies, support SMEs and drive inclusive growth.

“Supporting the SMEs will help them expand into new markets and offer them valuable expertise and guidance to improve their operations.

“By partnering with government and other relevant stakeholders, business can help refine policies that support economic growth, innovation and development,” he said.

Jideani said that the partnership would also ensure that policies were practical, effective and beneficial to all stakeholders.

Jideani said that the ACCI had strengthened its advocacy initiative driven by the chambers’ National Policy and Advocacy Centre (NPAC) through strategic partnership with various local and international organisations.

He listed the organisations to include European Union, (EU) United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP), Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN), and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments.

He said that the partnership had advanced data protection and creative industry growth, thereby, safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorised access, and expanding and developing industries that focus on creative expression, innovation, and intellectual property.

The director-general said that the chamber’s focus on SME insurance and gender-inclusive policies underscores its commitment to ensuring strong development.

He said that the “SME Insurance” was insurance products and services designed specifically for SMEs.

“These insurance policies help SMEs to manage various risks, such as insurance coverage for losses due to business disruptions and protection against claims for damages or injuries,” he said.

While assessing President Bola Tinubu’s two years administration on government policies and their impact on businesses and economic growth, Jideani said that the administration pursued ambitious reforms with positive intentions.

He said that the administration, anchored on the “Renewed Hope Agenda”, had addressed structural inefficiencies, boosted private sector growth, and positioned Nigeria as a competitive economy.

According to him, the policies have, however, produced mixed results, with notable achievements tempered by significant implementation challenges.

“The administration’s policies have been driven by a commitment to fiscal discipline, market liberalisation, and infrastructure development. The reforms have delivered measurable gains,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri

By Ginika Okoye

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has constituted a joint market monitoring taskforce to eliminate unsafe products and obnoxious business practices in FCT markets.

Inaugurating the taskforce in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Mr Tunji Bello, said that the move was in line with the FCCP Act.

Bello was represented by Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, the Director, Surveillance and Investigations Department of the Commission.

He said that the Act mandated the commission to seek ways of removing hazardous and unsafe products from the markets.

He said that the move also underscored FCCPC’s commitment toward protecting consumers and promoting business competitiveness in the market.

According to him, the taskforce which is the first phase will involve market executives from four markets which are Wuse, Utako, Garki International, and Garki Modern Markets.

He said that the taskforce would also be constituted in all markets across the country to curb anti-competitive practices.

“It is no news that our markets are flooded with fake, counterfeit and substandard consumer products that are not fit for intended purposes or clearly unsafe or injurious to consumer welfare.

“At a time when both consumers and businesses are experiencing economic challenges, getting value for money expended on products has become very imperative.

“Section 17 of the FCCP Act mandates the commission to seek ways and means of removing hazardous and unsafe products from our markets.

“The Act also empowers the commission to eliminate obnoxious and unscrupulous business and marketing practices that are deceptive, unfair and misleading,” he said.

He said that such practices included anti-competitive practices that substantially prevent or lessen competition in our markets.

“The commission, in delivering its mandate, prioritises cooperation and collaboration with key stakeholders for greater success.

“Effective market monitoring operations requires all hands to be on deck.

“Regulators and market executives or market union leaders need to come together as a team to make our market work for all,” he said.

Presenting the terms of reference of the taskforce, Mr Marvin Nadah, the Deputy Director, Surveillance and Investigation, FCCPC, said that the taskforce would gather intelligence on misleading, unfair and deceptive marketing, trading and business practices.

Nadah said that the taskforce was saddled with the responsibility of carrying out overt or covert routine surveillance and inspections within the market.

He said that it would conduct inspections of consumer products sold in the market for any possible violation of the FCCP Act.

“Other responsibilities are removing or seizing, if necessary, seal up shops, warehouses or outlets containing products that are unsafe for consumption or substandard goods.

Musa Shelleng, the Head, Monitoring and Enforcement of Abuja Market Management Ltd., appealed to FCCPC to adequately sensitise the traders before embarking on enforcement.

According to him, it is not every trader that wants to cut corners except the ones that do not understand how markets operate in the FCT.

“You must tell traders what to do and what not to do before the enforcement,” he said.

Mr Paul Nnamani, Chairman of Garki Modern Market Traders Association, said that the market executives would work with the commission to weed off obnoxious practices.

He said that the information from the commission would be conveyed to traders in the markets.

Mr Nelson Onwuemeodo, the Chairman, Utako Market Association, stressed the need for the commission to establish its offices in all the states and local government areas of the country.

Onwuemeodo said that establishing the offices in states would help the commission curb unscrupulous practices of traders in states.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the taskforce would also be established in all markets, including the ones located in satellite towns of the FCT. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman