CPAG: Consumer safety remains challenge in Gambia

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By AMADOU MANJANG

The Executive Secretary of the Consumer Protection Association of The Gambia (CPAG) Lamin Njie has said that Gambian consumers are not safe in the coronavirus pandemic, as the state of public emergency continues.

He added that activities, businesses, and corporations across the world have been disrupted by COVID-19 including work to a certain extent and halted one of CPAG’s major events of the year, ‘The World Consumer Rights Day 2020’.

He said consumers may face scarcity of foodstuff due to the suspension of some of the businesses that provide daily food stuff for them.

Njie, a teacher by profession cum activist was speaking to The Monitor on a mobile phone interview over the weekend.

He said: “Consumer safety remains a major challenge in the Gambia and many other countries, especially in such a crisis like this.”

He further stated that the pandemic has not left anyone unaffected as it is, adding that although actions are taken by the government to address inflation but still fears the skyrocketing of daily commodity prices.

If you may recall, recently the CEO of Kairaba Shopping Center and three other businesspersons were arrested by the government for hoarding of prices.

He said when COVID-19 was first declared a global pandemic; CPAG was vigilant and concerned about consumers’ safety.

“We’re all in this together, it’s a difficult time and consumers are not exceptional. But we will not relent in our mandate to protect consumers always,” he added.

He said, so far CPAG hasn’t received any direct complaint from consumers but during their radio programs complaints are spotted in callers’ contributions.

“I believed consumers are cooping just as service providers are,” he said.

He acknowledged that this is a difficult time and it is not as normal as three months ago.

He advised consumers to adapt to the situation and practice more solidarity, support, and compassion among themselves.

“This one too will pass. We will come back to gather and socialize,” he said.

He urged the business community and service providers not to take advantage of consumers in such a difficult time to exploit them.

“Help if you can!”

He said that behaviors are very crucial to curbing the spread of the virus, thus let people follow the WHO preventive and protective measures to contain the virus.

“Consumers also need to reassess preferences; especially our diet preferences. As it is advised to be eating more vegetables and protein diets,” he said.

He added that CPAG has go low key, by working from home and online, but continued to its advocacy for Consumer Protection via their online platforms.

“Our work is disturbed but not stopped,” he said.

He said CPAG will continue sensitization through their weekly radio programs to raise awareness on the protection of the consumers.

“Our Executives have made donations to support the drivers that are making and distributing sanitary items (20ltr gallons with taps) and soaps to communities. More of these is been planned to protect consumers in these trying times,” he concluded.