The Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association (PAPDA) on Wednesday pledged deeper collaboration with regulators, citing foreign exchange instability as a major challenge for phone dealers.
Newly inaugurated President Mr Ebiem Samuel made this known during the swearing-in of the association’s executives in Lagos.
Ebiem said forex volatility remained a pressing concern but stressed that regulatory partnerships were vital to sanitise the market and safeguard consumers.
On engagement with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), he said the association maintained consistent dialogue and ensured members honored invitations. “Once the FCCPC summons any of our members, they will honor the invitation. We send our task force to accompany them, and issues are resolved amicably,” he said.
Ebiem added that PAPDA would convene a stakeholders’ meeting to allow the commission to sensitive members on consumer protection laws and compliance obligations.
On business constraints, he highlighted unstable exchange rates as a key issue, making pricing unpredictable and exposing dealers to significant losses. “Forex is a very big challenge. We buy at one rate today and at a higher rate the next week. There is no stability,” he said.
He noted that high customs duties on imported products had further driven up market prices.
Reflecting on his election, Ebiem thanked members for their confidence and pledged dedicated service. “I thank you for placing your trust in me, and I pledge to serve with dedication, integrity, and passion,” he said.
Drawing on his experience as former vice president, he urged unity among members. “Our focus is to resolve the challenges we are facing and make our market a hub of economic activities. Let us work together to take PAPDA to greater heights,” he said.
In her remarks, FCCPC South-West Zonal Coordinator Mrs Olubunmi Otti called for sustained cooperation between traders and regulators. She said the commission’s mandate was to promote fair competition and protect consumers’ interests. “We want to work together in the interest of consumers. The message is clear: quality products and quality service,” she said.
She urged traders to embrace collective responsibility for a compliant and thriving marketplace.
Former PAPDA President Mr Ifeanyi Akubue said the association had maintained strong relations with regulators since the era of the Consumer Protection Council. He noted that PAPDA regularly organized sensitization sessions on customer management and regulatory standards.
Akubue added that the group had engaged the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) over the influx of substandard devices and accessories, including a joint trip to Shenzhen, China, with SON officials to meet manufacturers and communicate Nigeria’s quality requirements.
He alleged that some foreign traders supplied products directly to street vendors, fuelling the spread of counterfeits. He said the association reported erring members to authorities and encouraged consumers to patronise registered shops and request invoices.
In a goodwill message, National President of the Association of Mobile Phones and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria (AMPAT), Mr Musa Mamza, urged stronger national collaboration. He said discussions were ongoing on PAPDA’s possible integration into AMPAT’s national structure, which would preserve PAPDA’s identity while strengthening its voice and expanding opportunities for members.
“We believe that together we can protect our members from exploitation, expand business opportunities, and create sustainable structures for future generations,” he said.
The newly inaugurated executives include: Samuel Ebiem (President), Johnson Nnakife (Vice President), Onyeka Agbasi (Chief Whip), Germanus Anyika (Public Relations Officer), and Kabir Olaniyi (Treasurer).
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