The gas cylinder is used in many homes, schools, hotels and different places where humans reside. In as much as the gas is used in cooking and in factory work, it is equally dangerous when poorly managed.

Gas cylinders if poorly managed has the capacity of destroying human life and materials.

Hardly does a day go bye without millions of Nigerians consuming rice. This high demand has taken a bad turn due to unfair business practices of certain individuals who have decided to flood the market with plastic rice. 

We must commend the Nigerian authorities who have been on top of the game by preventing this kind of rice into our markets. It is still important for consumers to be aware of what is trending in the plastic rice saga as this will aid in educating consumers about the dangers of this plastic rice.

A philosopher once said " that the birth of a child signifies GODS desire for the world to continue without end." Children are the strength of the future. The mistakes of the past are to be made perfect in the minds of the children. Children are the torch bearers for a future unknown. To neglect a child or poorly develop a child, is to neglect the future of an economy. To embezzle funds meant for the empowerment of Children is to create a bleak future for the economy.

According to a recent united nations statistics, over 15 million children in Nigeria are victims of child labour, a further population of the children are poorly developed by parents and guardians. This statistics produces an unpalatable situation for our economy.

As the world celebrates world environment day on the 5th of June, 2017, save the consumers is equally not left out in the celebration.

As the world celebrates world environment day on the 5th of June, 2017, save the consumers is equally not left out in the celebration.

WHY TEACH CONSUMER EDUCATION?

Save the consumers cares for the Nigerian Consumer. We all need consumer education on a variety of subject matters. The more we know about product safety, the better society becomes.

We live in a consumer society. Consumption is an important part of our everyday life and uses up a significant proportion of our money and of our time.

In the bustling heart of Abuja, where the lights of the city often flickered between power surges and outages, there was a man who had made it his mission to bring stability and fairness to the electricity supply sector. His name was Mr. Musa, a dedicated senior officer in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). He was no stranger to the challenges of Nigeria’s power sector, especially the long-standing issue of faulty and obsolete meters affecting both consumers and service providers.

The year was 2021 when a crucial order—NERC/246/2021—was issued. This order aimed to address a significant problem in the electricity sector: the widespread use of malfunctioning and outdated end-user meters. These faulty meters were not only a source of frustration for customers, who often received inflated bills, but they also hindered the efficient distribution and monitoring of electricity consumption.

Mr. Musa, having worked closely with various stakeholders in the industry, knew that the only way to ensure fairness and transparency in electricity billing was through a structured replacement of these meters. He was tasked with overseeing the implementation of this order, a responsibility that weighed heavily on him, considering the scale of the challenge.

THE PLAN: A STRUCTURED METER REPLACEMENT INITIATIVE

Under NERC/246/2021, a framework was established to guide the replacement of faulty and obsolete meters across the country, with special attention to areas like Abuja, where there had been numerous complaints from consumers. The order outlined the following objectives:

1. Identification of Faulty Meters: All existing meters would undergo a thorough inspection and testing process to identify faulty or outdated models.
2. Collaboration with Service Providers: Distribution companies (DisCos) were instructed to collaborate with accredited vendors to replace the meters.
3. Transparency and Accountability: The process would be monitored by NERC to ensure the replacement was done transparently and efficiently, with customers receiving proper documentation for the new meters.
4. Public Awareness: A public awareness campaign was to be launched, educating consumers about the meter replacement process and their rights under the new policy.

Mr. Musa’s Leadership

As soon as the order was received, Mr. Musa convened a meeting with key stakeholders from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), meter manufacturers, and other regulatory bodies to discuss the implementation strategy. His first task was to ensure that the logistics of identifying faulty meters were streamlined.

In Abuja, where some areas had been experiencing erratic power supply for months, Mr. Musa knew this project had to be done in phases, with priority given to high-demand areas. He personally oversaw the creation of a database that listed all customer complaints related to meter malfunctions. The goal was clear: every faulty meter would be replaced, and the process would be carried out with minimal disruption to the electricity supply.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

The journey wasn’t without its challenges. The first hurdle was the sheer number of meters that needed replacing, especially in older neighbourhoods where many customers still used mechanical or analogue meters. These types of meters were prone to errors in reading and often resulted in consumers being billed for more electricity than they actually consumed.

Then, there was the issue of public trust. Many Abuja residents were skeptical of the process, having dealt with corrupt practices and inefficiencies in the past. Some feared that the replacement program might be a ruse to inflate prices or further delay necessary repairs.

Mr. Musa responded to these concerns with a carefully designed communication strategy. He worked with local media outlets to broadcast the details of the NERC order and how it would benefit consumers in the long run. He also held town hall meetings across the city, where he listened to customer concerns and assured them that the process would be fully transparent. He personally visited several neighbourhoods to oversee the installation of new meters and ensure that the process was being conducted fairly.

A Turning Point for Abuja

As months went by, the replacement initiative slowly began to bear fruit. The first batch of faulty meters in Abuja was replaced with modern, digital meters that were not only more accurate but also allowed for remote readings, reducing the need for manual meter inspections. Consumers who had once been frustrated by overestimated bills now found their new meters providing accurate and timely readings.

Mr. Musa’s meticulous planning and oversight ensured that there were minimal disruptions. As the meter replacement program progressed, there was a noticeable reduction in complaints about high bills, and the energy distribution process became more efficient.

For the first time in years, many residents in Abuja experienced consistent and transparent billing. The new meters were also equipped with smart features that enabled customers to monitor their consumption in real-time, helping them better manage their energy usage.

LEGACY OF CHANGE

The success of the meter replacement initiative didn’t just stop with Abuja. Inspired by the model Mr. Musa had implemented, other states began to adopt similar strategies for replacing faulty meters. His leadership not only brought relief to countless consumers but also set a precedent for how regulatory frameworks could be effectively implemented to improve the electricity supply industry.

When the project was completed, Mr. Musa received commendations from NERC, government officials, and customers alike. His dedication to fairness, transparency, and accountability had not only improved the lives of thousands of Abuja residents but also restored faith in the country’s electricity distribution system.

As he looked out over the now brightly lit streets of Abuja, Mr. Musa knew that the battle for a more reliable and fair electricity supply was far from over. But thanks to NERC/246/2021 and his tireless efforts, he had played a key role in making a significant change. And for the first time in a long while, the people of Abuja could trust that their lights—and their bills—would be a little more predictable.

Read more  http://www.savetheconsumers.org

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!!!

The patients' bill of rights debate has been making rounds recently particularly after the unfortunate death of a beautiful and full of life corp member who was shot by the police, who was shot at on her way from work to celebrate with her friends that she has been retained. may her sins be forgiven and her soul rests in peace. Amin.

From stories making wave around, I think it is pertinent to bring to the knowledge of the people; the patients' bill of rights. Although these rights differ from country to country,  the basics of what the bill should be concerned about it was are penned down here. However, there is room for amendments/modification but let us understand what it means first.

All patients should be guaranteed the following freedoms:

a. to seek consultation with the physician of their choice.

b. to contract with their physician on mutually agreeable terms.

c. to be treated confidentially with access to their records limited to those involved in their care or designated by the patient.

d. to use their own resources to purchase the care of their choice.

e. to refuse medical treatment even if it is recommended by their physician.

f. to be informed about their medical condition, the risks, and benefits of treatment and appropriate alternatives.

g. to refuse third-party interference in their medical care and to be confident that their actions in seeking or declining medical care will not result in the third party imposed penalties for patients or physicians.

h. to receive full disclosure of their insurance plan in plain language which includes;

1.  contracts: a copy of the contract between the physician and healthcare plan and between the patient or employer and the plan.
2. incentives: whether participating physicians are offered financial incentives to reduce treatment or ration care.
3. cost: the full cost of the plan, including copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.
4. coverage: benefits covered, excluded, including availability and location of 24-hour emergency care.
5. qualifications: a roster and qualifications of participating physicians.
6. approval procedures: the authorisation procedure for services whether doctors need the approval of a committee or any other individual and who decides what is medically necessary.
7. referrals procedures for consulting a specialist and who must authorise the referral.
8. appeals: grievance procedures for claim or treatment denials.
9. GAG rule: whether physicians are subject to a gag rule, preventing criticism of the plan.

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