FCCPC to question banks, telecoms, airlines over poor services

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has launched a major inquiry into widespread consumer complaints against leading players in the banking, telecommunications, and aviation sectors.

The Director, Corporate Affairs of the FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu, made this known on Sunday in a statement on the official X account of the commission.

The inquisitions, which will be held on December 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively, are intended to address issues of poor service delivery, exploitative practices, and potential consumer rights violations.

“In the banking sector, the FCCPC will engage Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) over reports of network failures that hinder customers from accessing their funds or using banking applications,” Ijagwu said.

“In the telecommunications sector, MTN Nigeria faces questions regarding persistent complaints of undelivered data services, unexplained data depletion, and inadequate customer care.

“Similarly, Air Peace Limited will address allegations of exploitative ticket pricing, including significant price hikes for advance bookings on certain domestic routes.”

These inquiries are being conducted under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, specifically Sections 17, 18, 32, 33, 80, 110, 111, 112, and 113, which empower the FCCPC to investigate and resolve practices that undermine consumer rights, disrupt markets, or create unfair competition.

According to the statement, the FCCPC’s engagement with these companies provides a platform to address consumer concerns, clarify business practices, and enforce compliance with regulatory standards.

Ijagwu said the companies will be required to appear before the FCCPC on designated days to provide information and responses to enable the commission to make determinations and resolve pending issues promptly.

The FCCPC said this action reflects its commitment to safeguarding consumer rights, fostering a fair marketplace and ensuring accountability across all sectors.

“We urge consumers to continue to report instances of poor service delivery or exploitative practices to the FCCPC through its official channels,” Ijagwu added.