By Onozure Dania

The Consumer Protection Council, CPC, has threatened to sanction dealers of substandard and fake computers software and accessories, saying that henceforth, such individuals would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The Director General of CPC, Mrs. Ify Umenyi gave the warning while inaugurating the Consumer Protection Council, CPC, market desk office at computer village in Ikeja.

She warned that anyone caught dealing in substandard computer products in the country, would be liable under the CPC Act of 1992 and other extant regulations.

“Let me sound a note of warning that the council is determined to give Nigerian consumers succor in terms of their purchases in genuine mobile and computer sets and materials,” she said.

Umenyi, advised manufacturers of computer accessories such as batteries, to ensure that their products carry expiry dates, the ratings and type, instructional manual, safety information, safety signs and guaranty or warranty information for at least six months.

She described fake and substandard products as products that fail to meet the basic minimum standards set for genuine products and thereby manifest in forms of defects in packaging, labeling and pass off.

She also said that for electronics products and devices, there are a number of requirements that should be adhered to strictly, and she listed them to include the name of the product, country of origin, specifications, date of manufacture, batch or lot number.

According to Umenyi, the reason for the establishment of the CPC desk office is to make sure that the partnership will give birth to an avenue for gathering and dissemination of information on the illegal activities of unscrupulous traders, so as to allow genuine business activities to thrive.