The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has clarified that increases in transport fares during the yuletide period are not unlawful in themselves, warning, however, that exploitative or unfair practices by road transport operators will attract regulatory sanctions.
The clarification was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu.
FCCPC noted that the warning comes amid complaints over arbitrary fare hikes by inter-city road transport operators across the country.
It acknowledged that “Seasonal demand, operational pressures, and other legitimate cost factors may affect transport pricing.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has clarified that increases in transport fares during the yuletide period are not unlawful in themselves, warning, however, that exploitative or unfair practices by road transport operators will attract regulatory sanctions.
The clarification was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu.
FCCPC noted that the warning comes amid complaints over arbitrary fare hikes by inter-city road transport operators across the country.
It acknowledged that “Seasonal demand, operational pressures, and other legitimate cost factors may affect transport pricing.
Commenting on the development, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr Tunji Bello, said FCCPC was closely monitoring market conduct throughout the festive season and had intensified engagement with transport unions, park managers and operators nationwide.
According to him, the engagements are preventive and aimed at promoting responsible pricing, voluntary compliance and orderly market behaviour.
“Price increases are not, in themselves, unlawful,” the statement noted Bello as saying.
“However, conduct that exploits consumers or takes unfair advantage of heightened seasonal demand may attract regulatory attention under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.”
He added that practices such as inadequate fare disclosure, coercive conduct or coordinated pricing arrangements among operators to the detriment of consumers would be subjected to strict regulatory scrutiny.
Bello warned that “Where cases of violation are established, he warned, culprits face stiff penalties.”
The Commission advised consumers to confirm fares before travel, retain proof of payment and report suspected unfair practices through its complaint portal or designated hotlines.
