The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have signed a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on the faster resolution of consumer complaints.
The MoU was signed between the Commission’s CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, and the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, at a ceremony attended by Nairametrics.
The legal document (MoU) was agreed upon by both institutions in their respective bids to ensure the effective and efficient discharge of their functions for the benefit of consumers and business operators in affected sectors.
According to the MoU seen by Nairametrics, the parties, where practicable, agreed to notify each other of any investigations relating to complaints or issues concerning the safety and quality of food, drugs, chemicals, medical devices, packaged water, cosmetics, and detergents.
Such notification is expected to be provided no later than ten working days prior to the proposed commencement of the investigation.
Furthermore, the parties agreed to use their best endeavours to coordinate investigations in order to maximize efficiency, optimize the use of resources, and avoid duplication of effort.
- “Nothing in this clause shall prejudice the right or obligation of either party to conduct independent investigations in accordance with its respective statutory mandate,” the MoU partly reads.
In the event that a dispute arises between the two institutions, the MoU states that such disputes shall be addressed through mutual consultations and engagement between the Chief Executive Officers of the parties, and their decisions shall bind all concerned.
