Civil Society groups vital to every government – CPC boss

The Director General of Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Barr. Babatunde Irukera has said that the role of Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) in making government more accountable to the people is vital to the sustenance of the society adding that no modern government can flourish in this era without Civil society imputes.

Irukera said that for credible, transparent and honest leadership to thrive in any nation, the CSOs must be engaged positively by government.

He maintained that an engagement with the CSOs is an engagement with the entire society, “and this is my priority”.

The DG made the disclosure on Tuesday at a one day round table forum organized by the commission for Non- governmental organizations NGOs, CSOs in Abuja.

The roundtable discussion tagged, ”Increasing Consumer Awareness Through Effective Participation of Non-Governmental Organization” had many civil societies representatives across the federation.

Irukera said that the civil society organizations are key in the protection of consumers and the people.

He added that the new management of the Council under his leadership has embarked on sanitizing and scrutinising all CSOs and NGOs that registered with the commission to ensure professionalism.

He said that the CPC is delisting quacks among them to pave way for professionalism and a better working relationship that would bring succor to millions of Nigerian consumers.

”Our process henceforth will be made more intense but transparent, only those qualified and properly screened will get our registration certifications because we want to continue to work and partner with you so as to liberate our consumers from high level impunity.

He said that there was need for more collaboration between CPC, SCOs and NGOs to safeguard consumer.

Irukera said that the Council would no longer compromise, and will now become a secondary level dispute resolution avenue.

We must take joint responsibility in educating the consumers be it in the power sector, manufacturing and construction industries”.

He noted that the council has improved in the implementation of its mandate within the last four years but was not delivering on consumers’ expectations.

However, he disclosed that on assumption of office, he inherited a broken council where staff were not motivated, poor resources both human and materials as well as poor physical infrastructure.

Today, he said, the story is different because he has changed the narratives and has placed staff welfare amongst his top priorities while industries are being put on their toes to guarantee adequate consumers protection.

In a good will message, a Representative of the United Nations International Development Organization (UNIDO), Prof. Abimbola Uzoma said that to be able to reach the grassroot with their message, CPC must work and collaborate with the CSOs.

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja