. Cautions road transporters against arbitrary fare hike during Yuletide
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), on Friday, unsealed the headquarters of Ikeja Electric Plc after the company committed to a binding undertaking to comply with the remedial process following consumer rights violations.
The headquarters was earlier sealed on December 11, because Ikeja Electric failed to comply with a NERC directive to unbundle a Maximum Demand account into 20 individual accounts for a customer who had been without power for over two and half years, the Commission said in a statement.
The statement, signed by FCCPC’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said Ikeja Electric undertook to resolve all consumer complaints referred to it by the FCCPC within agreed timelines. Any breach of the undertaking would expose it to renewed and escalated enforcement action under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.
Commenting, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, FCCPC, Tunji Bello, was quoted as saying that the Commission’s intervention was necessary to enforce the provisions of the FCCPA (2018).
He said: “Our responsibility is to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and that service providers comply with lawful decisions and directives.
“Enforcement is not an end in itself. Where compliance is achieved and credible commitments are made, the Commission will respond appropriately.”
Clarifying further, Mr Bello said the outcome reflects the Commission’s balanced approach to regulation.
“We intervene decisively where consumer harm persists, and we de-escalate where enforceable compliance is secured. What remains constant is our duty to protect consumers and uphold regulatory accountability,” he said.
These engagements are preventive in nature and are aimed at encouraging responsible pricing practices, voluntary compliance and orderly market behaviour.
Fare hike
In another development, the FCCPC has cautioned inter-city road transport operators against arbitrary and unexplained fare increases during the ongoing yuletide travel period, following a surge in consumer complaints across several parts of the country.
The Commission, which recognised that seasonal demand, operational pressures and other legitimate cost factors may affect transport pricing, however, cautioned that consumers are entitled to clear, accurate, and timely information on fares before travel.
It added that any fare adjustment must therefore be transparently communicated and applied fairly.
The FCCPC also notes that these complaints are arising at a time when there are reports of reductions in the pump price of premium motor spirit across parts of the country.
While fuel cost is only one of several inputs that may influence transport fares, increases that are not properly explained or disclosed raise valid consumer protection concerns.
Mr Bello assured that the FCCPC is closely monitoring market conduct throughout the festive season and has intensified engagement with transport unions, park managers and operators nationwide.
He explained that these engagements are preventive in nature and are aimed at encouraging responsible pricing practices, voluntary compliance and orderly market behaviour.
Mr Bello clarified that price increases are not, in themselves, unlawful. However, conduct that exploits consumers or takes unfair advantage of heightened seasonal demand may attract regulatory attention under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
He further noted that practices such as inadequate fare disclosure, coercive conduct, or coordinated pricing arrangements among operators to the detriment of consumers will be subject to strict regulatory scrutiny. Where cases of violation are established, he warned, culprits face stiff penalties.
Consumers are therefore advised to confirm fares before travel, retain evidence of payment, and report any suspected unfair practices to the Commission through its complaint portal at complaints.fccpc.gov.ng or via the hotlines 0805 600 3030 and 0805 600 2020.
