Coronavirus: FG Says Any Vendor Who Increase Prices Of Face Mask, Sanitiser, Will Go To Jail

The Federal Government on Saturday, warned sellers and retailers of face masks and latex gloves, personal hygiene products like sanitizers and anti-bacterial wipes, against increasing prices of the products which are necessary in preventing infection or spread of Coronavirus COVID-19.

This was made known in a statement issued by Babatunde Iruekera, the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Vendors were told that abusing citizens’ sensitivity, apprehension, anxiety and vulnerability, especially during emergencies that could adversely affect national security is a violation of law.

FCCPC warned vendors that they risk getting prosecuted if they use the confirmation of coronavirus in Nigeria as an excuse to increase the price of the protective items.

“Any conspiracy, combination, agreement or arrangement to unduly limit or manipulate supply, in order to unreasonably enhance price or otherwise restrain competition is a criminal offence under S.108(1)(b) and (c), FCCPA.

“Any exercise or exploitation of undue pressure in selling or the sale of goods or services, or price manipulation between displayed, and selling price are also serious violations of the FCCPA under Sections 115(3) and 124(1).

“Taking advantage of the possibility of infection by a dangerous communicable disease to control supply, or unilaterally increase prices is predatory as it preys on the desperation of citizens.

“Considering the circumstances and the vital national interest/security this illegal conduct undermines, the Commission intends to strongly enforce the full letter of the law, including the fullest extent of penalties associated with this conduct.”

The FCCPC encouraged consumers to be vigilant, and report such unreasonable or arbitrary exploitative price increase or trade practices to the Commission by telephone on 08056002020, or 08056003030, or by email: contact@fccpc.gov.ng

Meanwhile, Nigeria recorded its first case of Coronavirus on Friday, February 28, 2020, following the arrival of an Italian businessman, who is currently in the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos State (formerly, Infectious Diseases Hospital).