The Group Executive Director (Commercial Operations) of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Hajia Fatima Aliko Dangote has shared reasons why she firmly believes that consumers’ rights manufacturers should be priority to manufacturers.
The DIL boss, praised the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) on the successful hosting of the 2024 World Consumer Rights Day, noted that consumers have the right to accurate, transparent and easily understandable information about products and services.
Speaking at the event, the DIL boss said: “In these days of artificial intelligence, where consumers are buffeted with information on many products and services which may turn out to be false or less than what is promised”, they have the rights to know all the key information on the product and services.
“We need businesses to adopt ethical business practices that prioritize the well-being of consumers and the planet. We need educational initiatives that empower consumers with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the modern marketplace.”
She called for robust regulatory frameworks that safeguard consumer rights across borders as well as collective action from stakeholders to address emerging challenges in the sector.
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The DIL, she stressed, has placed priority on the rights of its consumers in all its processes by adhering to the prescribed standards in ensuring that its products are safe for use and consumption.
She called on manufacturers to adhere to the fundamental principles of consumer rights, which are the right to safety, and information, the right to choose, the right to redress, and the right to a healthy environment.
Warning that consumers who are adversely affected by harmful products will spend huge amounts of money and time on treatment, which affects productivity, she noted that Dangote product packages are labeled with accurate information that makes it easy for customers to make decisions.
She said: “For us at Dangote Group, the consumer remains king, and issues on their rights remain at the forefront of our processes. We adhere to the prescribed standards to ensure that our products are safe for use and consumption.
“We believe that consumers will always demand goods and services that have safety standards. From cement to sugar, seasoning, salt, fertiliser, and refined petroleum products, we adopted high safety standards to ensure that consumers get the best from us. Harmful products will not affect only the consumer but in the long run, affect the industry and economy.”
Hajia Fatima Dangote noted that the event was an opportunity to reflect on the core values of fairness, transparency, and empowerment in the marketplace and on the rights of every individual who participates in the global economy as a consumer.
She noted that manufacturers and providers of services should understand that despite all precautions and efforts, consumers might find flaws and faults with products, hence, the need to have access to effective grievance mechanisms for upholding consumer rights.