The Government plans to institute new measures to check the rising food prices and other essential commodities.

One of the measures is the setting up of an agency responsible for monitoring the market to ensure that traders comply with the regulations, help stabilise prices in the market and enhance consumer protection.

Government also intends to enact a law on consumer protection.

This is essential because the most effective way to protect consumers is by ensuring that there is a strong and clear legal framework.

The agency will be a greatly welcome addition, because consumers have the right to be protected against shoddy and sub-standard goods or unfair business practices.

Consumers, especially in rural areas have been victims of unfair business practices like hoarding and speculation.
The agency will seek to curtail these malpractices that may adversely affect the consumer.

These initiatives will not only be of great importance to the consumers but will also offer a great deal of benefits to producers, especially manufacturers because it encourages competitiveness, as well as creativity and innovation.
 
As most consumers are not aware of their rights, the agency will be tasked to ensure that consumers are informed about the quality, quantity, price and standards of goods, and this will ensure that they are protected against exploitation.

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