… As Agency Celebrates World Consumer Rights Day
The General Manager of Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) Afolabi Solebo has disclosed that the Agency has been deeply involved in resolving cases bordering on acceptance and rejection of the old N500 and N1000 old currency notes, just as he called on members of the public to report cases of rejection of the old naira notes to the Agency.
Solebo stated this on Wednesday when he led other staff of the Agency in an advocacy walk around Allen Avenue and Ikeja to commemorate the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day with the theme: “Empowering Consumers through Clean Energy Transitions”.
He said instead of creating scenes or causing public unrest that might arise from the rejection of the old currency notes, consumers and any affected persons should seek the intervention of the Agency which will take up the issue and ensure its amicable resolution.
Solebo noted that the Agency had resolved quite a number of cases of old naira notes rejection, following the official pronouncement by Governor Sanwo-Olu that the old naira notes should not be rejected in Lagos State in line with the Supreme Court Ruling of extending the validity of the old naira notes till December 2023.
His words, “Since a few days ago when Governor Sanwo-Olu made the position of the State Government known regarding the old currency, we have received quite a number of complaints in this regard and we swiftly addressed them. In some cases, we put calls through to some business owners who immediately complied and accepted the old currency notes”.
“I can tell you that people are aware of LASCOPA and because they don’t want to be on the wrong side of the law, they have started complying with the use of the old naira notes. I plead with those who are still rejecting these old notes to desist from doing that”, the General Manager stated.
Speaking on the 2023 theme for World Consumer Rights Day, “Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions”, Solebo stated that the Agency maintains a cordial relationship with the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, (IKEDC) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), revealing that the organisations had been helpful in resolving some electricity-related complaints brought to the Agency.
According to him, LASCOPA had recovered over N29M from IKEDC and over N12M from EKEDC as credit adjustment to some consumers, just as it also recovered over N207 million and $30, 250.49 on returned products and unsatisfactory services for consumers since it was established.
Solebo, therefore, urged aggrieved consumers across the State to visit any of its annex offices in Bariga LCDA, Badagry LGA, Ikoyi- Obalende LCDA, and Ikorodu LGA in the State or visit the Agency’s headquarters at No 2B, Soji Adepegba Close, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja.
Alternatively, he said, Lagosians can also reach LASCOPA on 08124993895, 09064323154, and 08092509777 or through its social media platforms.
