By Ikenna Orioha
As Imo State Consumer Protection Council joined in the celebration of World Consumer Rights Day, held at the Council’s Secretariat Owerri on Friday, the Director General of CPC, Hon. Obioma Okafor, has assured that the Council would always intensify protection of consumer rights in the state to preserve lives, maintain quality, reduce cost of goods and services.
Addressing participants, Okafor said that CPC under her watch has been working optimally to ensure that rights of consumer of goods and services in Imo State are protected, saying the Council has partnered with manufacturers, marketers/distributors, traders/retailers and service providers to preserve and maintain rights of consumers.
Stating that the Council’s regulatory/monitoring efficiency had yielded positive fruits as many fake and adulterated products have been seized with service providers being warned against cheating, Okafor assured consumers of its effective support to maintain their rights.
Hence, she advised consumers to be free, protect themselves, check properly goods and products before purchasing, as well as disagree from being shortchanged over poor service provision.
“Today is a celebration of World Consumer Rights Day. CPC under my watch will continue to ensure that consumer rights are protected in Imo State. Governor Hope Uzodimma, being a lover of the people, who believes strongly in human rights and quality, is doing excellently to support CPC function effectively in its drive to ensure that rights of consumers are not infringed. Many fake and adulterated goods and products have been seized and soon the Council will destroy them at Avu”, Okafor maintained.
Presenting a paper in line with the theme of the event, “Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Consumers”, former Commissioner of Digital Economy and E- Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, urged critical stakeholders such as the regulators, consumers and innovators of technology to ensure that consumer’s safety is prioritized in the process of developing Artificial Intelligence, adding that these bodies should be conscious while using AI as it can be used for bad purpose.
The Commissioner designate explained that “Artificial Intelligence is pervasive and is seen across every human endeavor – what we say into our lives – from the way we educate ourselves, develop contents… AI is everywhere and has taken a center stage…”
Also, in his speech, a Consumer Lawyer and Financial Educator, Dr Henry Uzokwe, affirmed that “consumers have the right information to maintain informed choices, ask for receipt of payments and make traders and service providers accountable. This will help you have real value for your money”.
The event was given more coloration with a cognitive debate on “Is the use of AI in Customer Service fair to Customers Right”, by students of Christian International High School Owerri”.
