Consumers have a right to complete information on the price, quality, quantity, ingredients and other conditions under which the goods and services they consume are produced. It is only in this way that consumers are able to participate meaningfully in economic life and to exercise their rights.

Information is power. It is only when we have access to information that we take informed decisions about matters that affect our lives, our communities and indeed our country. But it is not enough merely to have access to information. In order for information to make the desired impact, it must be relevant to our needs. In addition, we must know how to use information in order to make the desired impact.Merely complaining about poor quality goods or services without directing our concerns to the responsible service producer or provider is unlikely to effect change. We must also follow up on the complaints we lodge with service providers. If our complaints or concerns are not addressed, we must raise them with the next in line of seniority or appropriate outside bodies. This is the only way through which to seek redress and encourage accountability among service providers.

This implies that service providers have redress mechanisms within their organisations. Where redress mechanisms do not exist, consumers must demand that they are put in place and observed.

The fact that consumers have access to information about goods and services does not necessarily mean that information is easily made available. Sometimes, even in a democratic society, it is difficult to force service providers to make information available to consumers. When the release of information necessary for the exercise of our rights is made impossible, it is up to us as consumers, to demand that such information is made available.

Generally, consumer rights are connected to one another. One right cannot be viewed in isolation from another or from responsibilities that come with rights. As such, redress is better realised when consumers organise themselves into collectives to press for their rights. For example, service providers who thrive on consumer ignorance or apathy are more likely to listen to a group of unhappy consumers than one individual. Otherwise, the service provider can lose reputation and business if the group decides to buy goods and services elsewhere or boycott the business. Consumer collectives can also negotiate better sale deals with service providers while individuals may find this difficult or need to develop personal relations with service providers, often over long periods of time.

(sourced from http://www.ncf.org.za)

Rice has remained a staple in many homes across the world as a result of its affordability, quality, and ability to double its original size, making it a suitable feeding option for a very large family.

Little did we know in Nigeria that we are responsible for what we produce and consume, the chain involves all of us, the producer, the consumer and the policymakers. We have overstretched the carrying capacity of our environment through different environmental degradation and consumption patterns, the earlier we key into the sustainable consumption and production patterns the better for us and the future of upcoming Nigerians, our waterways are blocked with satchel and plastic waste, we don’t have the culture to trash our can for recycling, we don’t have the choice to choose sustainable product or service that is recyclable, we don’t have the capacity to develop a policy that will reduce the production of food or drink package that are not recyclable.

Looking at these woes in Nigeria, it’s time to rethink how we use plastics, some of the major long-term effects of plastic pollution are; land pollution, air pollution and amongst the most seriously affected are the coastal communities which will ultimately call for increased expenditures for beach cleaning, public health, waste disposal, litter removal and waste management. Arguably there may be more plastic on the waterways in Nigeria compare to fish.

There must be a proactive measure to curb this menace through sustainable consumption and production, it is estimated that by 2030 seven hundred million people will be displaced worldwide due to water scarcity, I am sure you all know our share in this number because of our weak culture towards reducing the spate of plastic waste in Nigeria.

The united nation sustainable development goal twelve is titled sustainable consumption and production, it aims to bring to the consciousness of global citizen to know the negative impact of environmental degradation through uncultured lifestyle.

March 15th is world consumer right day and this year theme is: sustainable consumer, this is a wakeup call to us all as individual or consumer, we have enormous power, in the purchase choice we make and how we use and dispose the waste of those purchases and majorly on our ability to use our purchasing power to influence the business owner to package their product with recyclable items that do not have effect on the environment sustainability to the present people and people in the future,

We must also influence our policymakers to create a policy that will make production companies produce products that are recyclable and environmentally friendly. This system cut-across all supply chain system of business through the manufacturer to the retailer and the consumers, it can also be controlled through procurement process where there will be public demand for sustainable production as a criterion for selection.

I like to conclude this my call to Nigerians with an adage that says, if the heaven falls it is not on one person but all of us, let us consume and produce sustainably. writting by Aliyu ilias.

Water is the most essential element to life and it is the most important substances on earth. Every living thing in the planet must have water to survive. Water is essential in the popular circulation of nutrients in the body. It serves as body’s transportation system.

In Nigeria today, the common medium of drinking water is the sachet water. Popularly known as “pure water”, sachets water is the cheapest and affordable form of water sold by everyone from street hawkers and shop owners and it is accessible to all.

Everyone venture into sachet water business without technically and scientifically grounded on handling and producing sachet water through storage and proper handling. Some just package untreated water in sachet and start distributing wherein endangering lives of people that may not even care to check the water they drink.

People drink water daily without checking if there’s NAFDAC approved number or expiring date and when it is over accumulated In their body system, it result to severe diseases.

The failure to provide safe pipe-borne water for human consumption by the governments, led to the production of sachet water in Nigeria. The government left the production of such water by individuals, who have little or no knowledge of producing quality water.

Professor Amobi Ilika, the director of community and public medicine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra state, in march 2013, when in civic presentation, cautioned that sachet water exposed the drinkers to cancerous materials.

It is important for Nigerians to check properly before buying any sachet water to see if it has NAFDAC number and try as much as possible to protect themselves against unwanted diseases that may cause their lives and be mindful of the kind of water they drink.

Health is wealth!!!

Water is the most essential element to life and it is the most important substances on earth. Every living thing in the planet must have water to survive. Water is essential in the popular circulation of nutrients in the body. It serves as body’s transportation system.

In Nigeria today, the common medium of drinking water is the sachet water. Popularly known as “pure water”, sachets water is the cheapest and affordable form of water sold by everyone from street hawkers and shop owners and it is accessible to all.

Everyone venture into sachet water business without technically and scientifically grounded on handling and producing sachet water through storage and proper handling. Some just package untreated water in sachet and start distributing wherein endangering lives of people that may not even care to check the water they drink.

People drink water daily without checking if there’s NAFDAC approved number or expiring date and when it is over accumulated In their body system, it result to severe diseases.

The failure to provide safe pipe-borne water for human consumption by the governments, led to the production of sachet water in Nigeria. The government left the production of such water by individuals, who have little or no knowledge of producing quality water.

Professor Amobi Ilika, the director of community and public medicine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra state, in march 2013, when in civic presentation, cautioned that sachet water exposed the drinkers to cancerous materials.

It is important for Nigerians to check properly before buying any sachet water to see if it has NAFDAC number and try as much as possible to protect themselves against unwanted diseases that may cause their lives and be mindful of the kind of water they drink.

Health is wealth!!!

A Complete Guide To Understanding The Warranties That Come With Nearly Everything You Own

What is a warranty?

Normally, when you make a big purchase, the manufacturer or seller makes an important commitment to stand behind the product. This is called a manufacturer's warranty, however sometimes called a guarantee .In short, a warranty is a promise to provide repair, maintenance, replacement or refund of a product for a certain time period. How does a warranty work? Although not required by law, warranties come with most major purchases. Different manufacturers have different warranties, which also means that the extent of the coverage of warranties varies.

Simple answers to common questions about warranties

How long does a warranty last?

It depends. Only way to find out is to check the warranty document to see when it begins and when it expires, as well as any conditions that may void coverage.

 How do I enforce a warranty?

It depends. It's often the seller or the manufacturer who provides you with warranty. Check the contact information and enquire before buying if still uncertain.

 What happens if a product fails within the warranty period?

It depends. Go through the warranty to see whether the company will repair the item, replace it, or refund your money.

What parts and repair problems are covered by warranty? Again, it depends. Read to see if any parts of the product or certain types of repairs are excluded from the warranty. In some cases, warranties oblige you to pay for labour costs. Also, it's worth keeping in mind to look for criteria that could prove costly or problematic to comply with, such as a requirement that you ship heavy or large objects to a distant address for service, or that you return the item in the very original carton.

 Does a warranty cover "consequential damages"?

In general, the answer is no. Most warranties do not cover damages that are caused by the product, or your time and costs for getting the problem repaired. To keep it simple, if your iPhone breaks down, the company will not pay for any lost information that was stored on it.

 What is a limited or conditioned warranty?

Certain warranties provide coverage only if you keep or use the product as directed. For example, a warranty may cover only personal uses-as opposed to business uses-of the product. As such, it's important to check that the warranty will meet your needs.

How does an oral warranty work?

If a salesperson makes a commitment orally, e.g. that the company will provide free repairs, make sure to get it in writing. If not, you may not be able to get the service that was promised.

What is an extended warranty?

Often when you buy e.g. a major appliance or gadget, you may be offered an "extended warranty. To be clear, the term "extended warranty" is marketing lingo and, legally, we are talking about a service contract. Service contracts, like warranties, provide repair and/or maintenance for a certain time period. Now, the difference is that warranties are included in the price of the product whereas extended warranties costs extra and are sold separately. To decide whether you need an extended warranty, consider: if the manufacturer warranty already covers the repairs and the time period of coverage that you would get under the extended warranty whether the product is likely to need repairs and the likely costs of such repairs the duration of the extended warranty the standing of the company offering the extended warranty the cost of the extended warranty vs. the cost of the product

 Types of implied warranty

Warranty of merchantability - the most common one. It means that the seller promises that the product will do what it was marketed to do. E.g. a coffee brewer will brew coffee.

Warranty of fitness for a particular purpose - if you buy a product on the seller's advice that it is suitable for a particular use. For example, a retailer who recommends that you buy a certain jacket made for sub-zero degree weather warrants that the jacket is suitable for sub-zero weather. Again, get it in writing.

 Tips on how to minimize problems with your warranty

Read the warranty before you buy. When online, look for links to the full warranty or contact details to get it sent to you.

Save the warranty information. Almost always a copy of the warranty is available (at least online), save a copy and keep it with your records

Consider the reputation of the company offering the warranty. Look for contact details. If you're not familiar with the company or uncertain, ask a consumer protection office. If they have any complaints against the company.Save your receipt and store it with the warranty. You may need it to document the date of your purchase or prove that you're the original owner in the case of a non-transferable warranty. Follow instructions. Perform required maintenance and inspections and use as advised.

How to resolve disputes about warranty rights

If you have problems with a product and struggle to get the warranty service:

Read your product instructions and warranty carefully. Don't expect your product to do something that it wasn't designed for, or assume warranty coverage that was never promised in writing. A warranty doesn't mean that you'll automatically get a refund if the product is defective-the company is normally entitled to try to fix it first. On the other hand, if you made a warranty claim during the warranty period and the product wasn't fixed properly, the company must correct the problem, even if your warranty expires before the product is fixed.

Try to resolve the problem directly with the seller. If not possible, write to the manufacturer. Your warranty should list the company's mailing address. Send all letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep copies.

Contact a consumer protection office.

Last resort, you may want to consider a lawsuit. You can sue for damages or any other type of relief the court awards, including legal fees. Contact a lawyer to assist you with your case.

As consumers, we could all save money and time from managing and enforcing our "warranty" rights that are either granted by law or offered by companies (that are competing for our attention in the market). With little thought and effort into understanding the warranty, saving the documentation and knowing how to make a claim you are well on your way to extend the lifetime of your products, reduce buy-throw behaviour, save money and get the most from your products. Happy organizing!

The horrible experience of Clinton James Twitter/@ClintJeezz in a restaurant in Benin city is a far cry from what Nigerians are suffering daily from most restaurant and food vendors. Quite a large number of ready to eat food are everywhere in Nigeria and all of them operate unchecked by the appropriate authority, perhaps the authority staff also patronize the one that is closer to them.

I am much more concerned about the hygienic aspects of the food that vendors and restaurant sell to Nigerians. Let us deal with human factor first, how many of us ask the restaurants or food vendors if the person that prepare the food we eat outside our house is certified to prepare such food, is the person free from hepatitis, is the person free from covid-19 among other diseases and virus that can be transferred to the consumers.

The challenge of the average Nigerian is satisfying hunger coupled with the challenge of the food crisis that is getting worsened in our country today.

 Environmental factor challenge is also begging for an immediate solution from the government, which are unsafe environment, unsafe water, unsafe waste disposal and exposure of food to insects and dust where food vendor does not care about covering the food. These are more prevalent in most cities in Nigeria.

I recall my fight with a man who carries a slaughtered skinned goat meat on his motorcycle and tied it with rubber, transporting it to another location in a dusty road. While I was telling him, this is not healthy he was busy speaking in his dialect and people around the scene were looking at me as if I am asking for too much, more so this very city has Environmental officers, even though they are not up to 300 to take care of four million population. Our country employs more medical doctors compare to an environmental officer who will prevent a health-related outbreak, but employs doctor that will take care of the health issue when it happens.

World health organization position is that food safety must be recognized as a public health function and access to safe food as a basic human right.

Aliyu ilias

Consumer Advocate