The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) have signed a landmark agreement to safeguard the interests of travelers and travel trade operators in Nigeria.
The two-year partnership, a first-of-its-kind between FCCPC and a trade group in the country, aims to address unfair operational trade practices prevalent in the travel industry.
The agreement is renewable subject to meeting specific performance metrics.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, praised NANTA for its proactive role in the Nigerian Travel Industry.
He described the partnership as bold and innovative, highlighting NANTA’s consistent advocacy for consumer protection and fair trade practices.
Mr. Bello expressed his excitement to collaborate with NANTA, noting the organization’s commitment to protecting travelers from unfair trade practices.
“I am excited to meet with NANTA members today. You have always set the pace, and when I came in, I was briefed about your relationship with FCCPC. Today, we are happy to sign into agreement this noble effort that captures all our passion and expectations to protect our people (consumers) from unfair trade practices, including the operators”.
Addressing the broader issue of rising prices in Nigeria, the FCCPC boss questioned the country’s commitment to fair trade practices and observed that price increases often do not align with the actual costs of goods and services, violating consumer protection laws.
Responding, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, emphasized the association’s determination to combat unfair trade practices within the travel sector.
“We intentionally came with our Chairman Board of Trustees, Alhaji Aminu Agoha to sigh this historic agreement because we believe with this modest intervention, we have achieved fifty per cent of our delivery as an association to our members and in particular the travelling public”.
“We thank Mr Tunji Bello and his professional team for believing in NANTA and willing to work with us to clean up our sector. Today will forever remain historic and memorable to us in NANTA, and we assure FCCPC that our partnership on this path will be taken seriously”.
He lamented the decline of the Nigerian Naira as a legitimate currency for trade transactions, citing the increasing demand for foreign exchange.
Mr. Folami commended FCCPC for its efforts to protect consumer rights and promote fair trade practices.
He expressed confidence that the partnership with FCCPC would significantly benefit NANTA members and the traveling public.
The agreement was signed in the presence of NANTA representatives and FCCPC management staff.
