The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has issued a fresh warning to traders, manufacturers and service providers over practices that could mislead consumers or deny them value for their money.

The agency said it would take unfair trade practices seriously, particularly deceptive pricing, misleading advertisements, false promotions and the sale of counterfeit, substandard or expired products.

LASCOPA’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Afolabi Solebo, urged businesses operating in Lagos to comply with consumer protection standards and ensure customers receive the value they pay for.

LASCOPA Targets Deceptive Sales Practices

The warning goes beyond counterfeit and expired products, with the agency also drawing attention to deceptive marketing practices capable of misleading consumers.

LASCOPA recently cautioned Lagos residents about bait advertising, a tactic in which businesses advertise products at unusually attractive prices to draw customers.

According to the agency, consumers may be told that the advertised item is unavailable after they attempt to purchase it, before being directed towards more expensive alternatives.

The agency considers such practices deceptive and has urged consumers to be vigilant when responding to heavily discounted offers.

Consumers Told to Report Businesses

LASCOPA also called on consumers to understand their rights and responsibilities when purchasing goods and services.

Consumers were encouraged to demand value for their money and report businesses that engage in unfair or deceptive practices.

The agency said complaints would be investigated and appropriate action taken where necessary.

The latest warning signals increased attention on how businesses advertise, price and sell products to consumers across Lagos.

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The Lagos State Government has launched a major clearance operation at Tejuosho Market in Yaba after traders repeatedly ignored several warnings to vacate walkways, setbacks and public roads.

The enforcement, led by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, began on Monday and follows months of petitions and failed engagement efforts with traders who allegedly converted public spaces into an illegal market corridor.

According to the Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy at the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI), Ajayi Lukman, officials had served multiple notices to the traders over the past three months, but the traders continued to obstruct traffic and violate environmental regulations.

He said the decision to finally clear the area became necessary after traders abandoned their designated shops and blocked two out of three lanes, forcing motorists to struggle through a single narrow passage.

“Their executives even came today to apologise, but the operation will continue. There is no going back,” Lukman stated.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the move aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda to maintain a clean, orderly and safe environment across Lagos.

He emphasized that public spaces must remain free of obstruction and that the state will intensify enforcement to ensure environmental compliance.

Corps Marshal of LAGESC, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), also warned that activities such as open urination, open defecation, and indiscriminate waste disposal continue to threaten air quality and public health in parts of the state. He urged residents and traders to support efforts to keep Lagos cleaner and more habitable.

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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has voiced concern over the recent demolition of Alaba Rago Market in Lagos, describing the move as a major blow to livelihoods and economic activity in the area.

In a statement released on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, the northern socio-cultural body said the development was received with “deep concern,” noting that the market has long served as one of the country’s most prominent livestock trading centres.

According to the forum, the demolition has displaced thousands of traders, destroyed properties, and disrupted businesses that have thrived there for decades. While it acknowledged that no lives were lost, the ACF lamented the hardship the action has imposed on many families.

The group sympathised with those affected and expressed confidence that their resilience would see them through the setback. It further disclosed that it is compiling detailed information on the demolition to better understand its scope and circumstances, a step it said would guide future discussions with both the Lagos State government and the affected community.

The ACF appealed to both federal and state authorities to provide relief measures and adequate support for those whose businesses were destroyed. At the same time, it urged traders and sympathisers to remain peaceful and law-abiding as efforts to find a lasting resolution continue.

Describing Alaba Rago as a “historic landmark in Lagos,” the forum expressed optimism that the market would recover and eventually emerge stronger.

The demolition, which reportedly covered a substantial portion of the market, has already sparked outrage among traders and civil society organisations, with growing calls for transparency and accountability from the government over the exercise.

The post Arewa Forum Decries Demolition of Alaba Rago Market, Seeks Government Intervention appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The demolition was conducted to facilitate the expansion of the Lagos-Badagry Express Road, leaving many traders without a means of livelihood.

The demolition, carried out on Monday, June 6, 2024, left traders scrambling to save their goods as rain poured down, adding to their woes. The traders, predominantly rice dealers, struggled to cover their wares with tarpaulins, but strong winds thwarted their efforts, leaving their goods exposed to the elements.

Amidst the chaos, customers still trickled in to purchase grains, while traders, some clad in makeshift raincoats, competed to attract buyers.

Cart pushers, who also relied on the market for their livelihood and shelter, were particularly hard-hit. Many, like Saidu, who had lived in the market for over a decade, found themselves homeless and wandering the streets.

READ ALSO: Lagos Trader Dies After Losing N50 Million in Alaba Rago Demolition

Opinions among traders varied regarding prior notice of the demolition. Some claimed they were not informed, while others acknowledged being notified since 2021. Alhaji Hamisu, Financial Secretary of Alaba Rago, stated that traders had been aware of the impending demolition and had even proposed to develop the area themselves, but internal conflicts delayed progress.

“No one died during the demolition,” Hamisu confirmed, adding that traders were given time to evacuate their goods. However, trader Abdullahi Sanni disputed the claim of prior notice, stating that many traders were caught off guard and lost their goods.

READ ALSO: Landmark Group Plans Investments in Other States and African Countries Following Lagos Beach Demolition

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by traders and residents as urban development projects proceed, often with significant social and economic impacts on local communities.

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