Lack of knowledge and understanding on competition and fair trading practices in Chitipa District has prompted the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) to embark on awareness meetings with stakeholders to address the challenges in the districtPublic Relations Officer for CFTC, Innocent Helema said most people fail to lodge their trade related complaints to CFTC because of lack of knowledge.
“Lack of knowledge and understanding on competition and fair trading practices, and consumer protection rights is a stumbling block as it fuels unfair trading practices in Chitipa and the country as a whole.
“That is why we are here to intensify awareness and encourage traders to comply with competition and fair trading practices,” said Helema.
He said the current Competition and Fair Trading Act is under review to, among others things, revise up wards the penalty of K500,000 for anyone found breaching the law.
Chairperson for Chitipa Civil Society Organisation, Sydney Simwaka applauded CFTC for organising the awareness meetings, which he said would go a long way in addressing information gaps on fair trading practices in the district.
One of the business operators at Chitipa Boma, Lourine Chilingulo said most consumers and traders who have been subjected to unfair trading practices had no knowledge where take their complaints to, hence commended CFTC for the intervention.
By Aliko Munde
