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.. Charges Residents on Sustainable Consumption
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), has called on consumers to contribute their quota towards attaining sustainable consumption.
The Chairman, Board of LASCOPA, Mrs. Funmi Falana, who made the call on Friday at a press briefing organised by the Agency as part of activities to commemorate the World Consumer Rights Day, described sustainable consumption as the use of products and services to minimise impact on the environment in order to meet human needs.
Speaking on the theme of the Y2020 celebration which is “Sustainable Consumption”, Mrs. Falana described the theme as Apt, saying the subject matter will foster long-term actualisation of human needs.
According to her, Lagos State is joining the rest of the World to commemorate the day with a view to discussing the need for sustainable consumption globally in a bid to increase resources, efficiency and fair trade.
Falana also urged consumers to find ways to meet their needs without depleting the planet’s finite natural resources, suggesting the use of renewable energy such as solar or wind power, developing alternative fuel sources, using environment-friendly products as some of the ways of achieving sustainable consumption.
She further advocated the need for consumers to establish mindful shopping habits and choose products based on their impacts on the environment, stressing that 1.3 billion tonnes of food gets trashed annually.
Earlier in her remarks, the General Manager of the Agency, Mrs. Kemi Olugbode expressed gratitude to God for witnessing another celebration of consumer rights.
She recalled that LASCOPA was established out of the growing desire of the State Government to ensure that the rights of consumers are protected and promoted.
Olugbode noted that the activities of the Agency are in consonance with the theme of the Y2020 World Consumer Rights Day as LASCOPA is working to ensure that products which are hazardous to life are not sold to consumers in the State.
Continuing, she informed that the Agency regularly carries out monitoring of products on sale in markets and retail stores, while also embarking on consumer education activities to ensure that residents are aware of their rights and avoid all forms of unwholesome products.
She maintained that the attainment of sustainable consumption demands collective responsibility, not just by the Government and manufacturers but consumers as well.
AE/DD/TMS/OS
