IN a strategic effort towards safeguarding residents and visitors in Calabar, the Cross River State Consumer Protection Agency, have carried out inspection exercise of outlets at Christmas Village in Calabar Municipality.
The Director General of the Agency Prince Charles Ushie Ph.D, said the exercise is ensure that consumers don't purchase and consume fake, substandard, adulterated and expired food, cosmetics and beverages throughout the festivity period.
According to Ushie, the Agency commenced the exercise on Saturday 14th December and carried out a thorough inspection of sales outlets at the Calabar Christmas village in Calabar Municipal Council premises.
The agency among others inspected numerous outlets including 33 Nigerian Brewery stand, other beverages stands and food vendors to ensure that all edibles prepared for public consumption conform with standard hygienic and safe standard.
During the inspection, the agency totally cleared the shelves of a particular beverages' stand where expired energy drinks were found.
He advised vendors and operators of the premises to live up to the agency's standard and offer their customers services that are commensurate to the money they pay.
The Director General, while interacting with the business operators, thanked them for cooperating with the agency during the inspection, detailed them of the agency's operational standards, advising them to be vigilant for substandard, expired consumables and also maintain absolute hygiene in their business premises.
Dr Ushie also implored the vendors to establish a cordial relationship with the agency whose contact office is situated at the ground floor of Okoi Arikpo house Calabar road, as the agency is always ready to treat complains of substandard, expired products and price fixing that does not suit customers, assured them of swift response to their complaints whenever the agency is approached.
Other directors of the Agency further declared that, the agency is committed to protecting the image of State from mischievous business men who are circulating substandard consumables, adding that they would ensure eradication and apprehension of those who flouts the rules of doing business in the state.
They enjoined Cross Riverians to support the vision of His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu whose vision is to give Cross Riverians optimum governance with safety, which the Agency is driving by sensitising the markets.
The inspectorate team was led by the director general of the agency, Prince Charles Ushie, the directors Dr. Kanabe Uba(Mrs), Barr. Paul Idiga, Chief Odwyer Eta, and ad-hoc staff of the agency.
Ndifreke Bassey, Beagle News
